Unchained charges 14%–15% APR with a 2% origination fee using collaborative multisig (2-of-3). Aave charges ~4.4% (variable) APR with $0 origination fees using smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Rates verified 2026-05-14
Aave advertises a lower headline rate at ~4.4% (variable) compared to Unchained's 14%–15%. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Aave saves $116,000 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees).
Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.
| Loan Size | Unchained APR | Aave APR | Unchained Total Year-1 Cost | Aave Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | 14% | 4.4% | $40,000 | $11,000 | $29,000 with Aave |
| $500,000 | 14% | 4.4% | $80,000 | $22,000 | $58,000 with Aave |
| $1M | 14% | 4.4% | $160,000 | $44,000 | $116,000 with Aave |
| $5M | 14% | 4.4% | $800,000 | $220,000 | $580,000 with Aave |
Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. Unchained: 2% origination fee. Aave rates are variable; the table uses a representative recent rate. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-05-14.
Both Unchained and Aave use similar custody approaches: collaborative multisig (2-of-3) and smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) respectively. Unchained uses Collaborative multisig (2-of-3). Multiple key holders must coordinate to move funds, reducing single-point-of-failure risk but still requiring trust in the key coordination process. Aave holds collateral in audited smart contracts rather than with a single lender, but borrowing requires wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC or cbBTC) — your underlying BTC is held by the wrapper's custodian (BitGo/BiT Global for WBTC, Coinbase for cbBTC), reintroducing custodial bridge risk. Smart-contract and oracle risk also apply.
Unchained triggers margin calls at 67% LTV and liquidates at 83% LTV. Aave has no margin-call mechanism: positions become liquidatable automatically the moment LTV crosses 78%, with no warning threshold or response window. Unchained gives borrowers 24 hours to respond to a margin call before any collateral is sold.
| Threshold | Unchained | Aave |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 50% | 73% |
| Margin Call | 67% LTV | None |
| Margin Call Window | 24 hours | None — automated liquidation |
| Liquidation | 83% LTV | 78% LTV |
Unchained: 33.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (83%). Aave: 5.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (73%) and liquidation (78%). Unchained provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between Unchained and Aave requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. Unchained uses collaborative multisig (2-of-3) with 14%–15% APR, while Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) with ~4.4% (variable) APR.
On a $500,000 loan, Aave costs $22,000 in the first year versus $80,000 at Unchained, a difference of $58,000. Part of Unchained's higher cost comes from its 2% origination fee, which adds $10,000 upfront on this loan size. Aave charges no origination fee, so the only cost is interest.
Both platforms use similar custody approaches. Unchained operates via collaborative multisig (2-of-3), and Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge). Neither platform rehypothecates borrower collateral.
Unchained is the better fit for borrowers who are borrowing $150,000 or more and want collaborative key control. Aave is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or more flexible access.
Key details to be aware of: Unchained: Commercial/institutional borrowers only since Jan 2024 — no consumer loans. Uses CTP ratio (inverse of LTV). Aave: DeFi money market — rates are variable and utilization-driven: USDC borrow against WBTC/cbBTC has ranged ~3.5-5.
Aave is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, Unchained costs $80,000 (14% APR + 2% origination fee) while Aave costs $22,000 (4.4% APR). That is a $58,000 difference in the first year.
Unchained uses collaborative multisig (2-of-3). Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge). Both platforms present similar custody risk profiles.
Unchained's minimum loan is $150,000. Aave has no minimum. Aave is more accessible for smaller borrowers.
Unchained issues a margin call at 67% LTV with a 24-hour response window and liquidates at 83% LTV. Aave has no margin call — positions are liquidated automatically the moment LTV crosses 78%. Starting from a 50% LTV, Unchained provides a 33-point buffer before liquidation, while Aave provides a 28-point buffer.
It depends on your priorities. Unchained (14%–15% APR, collaborative multisig (2-of-3), min $150,000) is better for borrowers who value collaborative multisig (2-of-3) and have larger borrowing needs. Aave (~4.4% (variable) APR, smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge), no minimum) is better for borrowers who value smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) and need smaller loan access. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.
Lygos offers 10% APR, $0 origination fees, and DLC-secured collateral where rehypothecation is cryptographically impossible.