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Bitcoin Loans Offer Lower Rates as US Card Debt Hits $1.29T

Lower advertised borrowing rates require borrowers to pledge Bitcoin and accept the risk of an automatic collateral sale.

Bitcoin Loans Offer Lower Rates as US Card Debt Hits $1.29T
Bitcoin Loans Offer Lower Rates as US Card Debt Hits $1.29T

US credit-card balances rose $22 billion to $1.29 trillion in the third quarter, the New York Fed reported. Coinbase advertises crypto-backed loans from 5.1%, but a $10,000 payout at 40% initial loan-to-value requires $25,500 in Bitcoin once a financed fee is included.

A one-year illustration puts card interest at $2,236 on a constant $10,000 balance using the Federal Reserve's 22.36% measure for accounts assessed interest. At a constant 5.1%, the Coinbase loan's modeled interest and processing fee total $720.20. The comparison excludes compounding, rate changes and other costs; Coinbase's rate is variable and a monthly platform fee may apply.

The lower rate comes with liquidation risk. At an illustrative 86% liquidation threshold and constant debt, collateral starting at 40% LTV would reach that threshold after a roughly 53.5% price fall. Unpaid interest can shrink that buffer.

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Frequently asked questions

  1. How much did US credit-card balances rise in the third quarter?

    Balances increased by $22 billion from the previous quarter to $1.29 trillion, according to the New York Fed.

  2. How much Bitcoin backs the illustrative $10,000 Coinbase payout?

    At a 40% initial loan-to-value ratio, the payout requires $25,500 in Bitcoin after a financed processing fee is included.

  3. What does the one-year borrowing cost comparison show?

    The illustration puts card interest at $2,236 and the Bitcoin-backed loan's interest plus processing fee at $720.20. It excludes compounding, rate changes and other costs.

  4. Is Coinbase's advertised 5.1% borrowing rate fixed?

    No. The loan rate is variable, and a monthly platform fee may also apply.

  5. How does a Bitcoin price drop affect the liquidation buffer?

    At an illustrative 86% liquidation threshold and constant debt, a loan starting at 40% LTV would reach the threshold after a roughly 53.5% fall in collateral value. Unpaid interest can shrink the buffer.

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