SALT Lending

Crypto-backed loans and yield accounts operating since 2016 with up to 70% LTV

Earn platform KYC required Founded 2016 United States
Visit saltlending.com
Our score
Good
Products Crypto-backed loans
Highest advertised APY 10%
Max loan-to-value 70%
Available in United States
KYC required Yes

What is SALT Lending?

SALT Lending is a centralized crypto lending platform that lets individuals and institutional clients borrow cash or stablecoins against digital assets without liquidating their holdings. Founded in 2016, the platform pairs collateralized credit with yield-generating accounts. Borrowers can access fiat liquidity while retaining price exposure to their collateral.

Corporate background

The platform is operated by SALT Lending LLC and parent firm SALT Blockchain Inc., based in Denver, Colorado. In September 2022, online investment platform BnkToTheFuture, founded by Simon Dixon, agreed to acquire SALT Lending to integrate its registered lending infrastructure with a regulated securities business.

Lending and yield mechanics

SALT issues loans backed primarily by Bitcoin and Ethereum, with loan-to-value ratios tiered at 30%, 50%, and 70%. Terms run for 1, 3, or 5 years. Proceeds arrive quickly. Approved funds typically land in 24 to 48 business hours without requiring traditional credit score checks. To mitigate market drawdowns, the platform offers an automated stabilization mechanism powered by its STAMP engine, which converts volatile collateral into USDC when asset valuations drop sharply. Its SALT LEND product offers yields up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins, marketed to accredited investors and wealth managers.

Fees and loan pricing

Annual percentage rates begin at 7.49% for a one-year loan at a 30% LTV and reach up to 10.50% at a 70% LTV. The platform charges 0% in loan origination fees and does not assess prepayment penalties for paying balances down ahead of schedule. Minimum borrowing sizes depend on jurisdiction, such as a $10,000 threshold in California and a $5,000 baseline in Maryland.

Availability and compliance

SALT Lending operates under state lending frameworks in the United States, holding licensing registered under NMLS identifier 1711910. Services cover 47 US states along with Washington, D.C. Because SALT operates as a regulated US financial entity, identity verification (KYC) is required before opening an account or securing a loan.

Platform risks and trade-offs

Borrowers face custodial counterparty risk because collateral is deposited directly with the company rather than controlled via multisig self-custody. Collateral stabilization into stablecoins avoids forced liquidations during crashes, but it crystallizes value during rapid downturns and requires repurchasing volatile assets later. Yield accounts also rely on centralized lending operations, subjecting depositors to institutional credit exposure.

Best for:US Bitcoin holders avoiding tax salesBorrowers seeking non-credit-based cashAccredited investors seeking fixed yieldsBusinesses needing crypto-backed liquidity

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No credit checks or income verification required to secure loans
  • Zero origination fees and zero prepayment penalties
  • Loans disburse within 24 to 48 business hours
  • Licensed US lender under NMLS ID 1711910 across 47 states

Cons

  • Requires custodial transfer of collateral, introducing counterparty risk
  • Mandatory KYC identity verification for all accounts
  • Earn program yields capped to accredited and institutional investors
  • Minimum loan amounts can reach up to $10,000 depending on the state

Our review

3.7/5
Good

SALT Lending offers regulated US crypto-backed borrowing with flexible loan-to-value options up to 70%, but counterparty custody risk remains inherent to centralized lending.

Rates4.0
Security3.5
Transparency3.5
Flexibility4.0
Support3.5

SALT Lending is one of the earliest digital asset lenders, operating from Denver under SALT Blockchain Inc. since 2016. The platform lets borrowers access cash or stablecoins against collateral such as Bitcoin and Ethereum across terms of 1, 3, or 5 years. Loan-to-value ratios reach 70%, with loan APRs beginning at 7.49% for lower-leverage tiers and rising to 10.50% at maximum capacity. The service waives origination and prepayment fees, funding approved accounts within 24 to 48 business hours without requiring traditional credit checks.

Risk mitigation is centered around the proprietary Stabilization engine powered by STAMP. During severe market downturns, the system converts volatile collateral into USDC to preserve capital and head off liquidations before margin thresholds are breached. In addition, the SALT Shield program provides a margin-call buffer for an upfront fee. For yield generation, the SALT LEND desk offers institutional and accredited clients APYs up to 10% on deposits across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

Centralized borrowing carries distinct trade-offs. Customers transfer asset custody to the platform, taking on counterparty insolvency risk rather than holding assets in non-custodial smart contracts. In addition, yield generation via SALT LEND relies on lending desks rather than decentralized on-chain mechanisms. While SALT maintains state-level lending registrations such as NMLS 1711910 and operates across 47 US states and Washington, D.C., availability varies by state, including specific thresholds such as a $10,000 minimum loan size in California.

SALT Lending suits long-term crypto holders and businesses seeking fiat liquidity without triggering taxable capital gains or credit inquiries. Borrowers who insist on self-custodial multi-signature arrangements or permissionless DeFi protocol execution should look elsewhere.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.
Sources (1)

Specs

KYC required ⓘ Yes · unverified
Products Crypto-backed loans
Highest advertised APY ⓘ 10% · unverified
Max loan-to-value 70%
Loan APR from 7.49% · unverified
Available in United States · unverified
Insurance Cyber insurance covering breaches, theft, and extortion · unverified
Licenses & registrations NMLS 1711910 · unverified
Fixed terms Yes · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Supported assets, Proof of reserves, Flexible (withdraw any time), Auto-compounding.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

Crypto-collateralized borrowing

Borrow cash or stablecoins against assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum with loan-to-value options of 30%, 50%, and 70%.

Collateral stabilization engine

The STAMP system automatically converts crypto collateral into USDC during market downturns to protect against forced margin calls.

Flexible term durations

Borrowers can choose term lengths of 1, 3, or 5 years without paying prepayment or origination fees.

High-yield earn accounts

Accredited investors can earn up to 10% APY on deposits of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins through SALT LEND.

Fast loan disbursals

Loans do not require personal credit checks, and approved funds typically disburse within 24 to 48 business hours.

Inside SALT Lending

Bitcoin-Backed Loans

Provides collateralized fiat or stablecoin loans without credit checks, offering LTV options up to 70% across 1, 3, and 5-year terms.

SALT LEND

Yield program where accredited and institutional investors earn up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

Stabilization and SALT Shield

Risk management tools that convert collateral into USDC during steep declines and protect loans from immediate liquidation.

SALT Lending screenshots

SALT Lending homepage showing bitcoin-backed loan information, rates, benefits, and navigation links
SALT Lending homepage showing bitcoin-backed loan information, rates, benefits, and navigation links · Oct 20, 2026
Bitcoin-Backed Loans: The Bitcoin-backed loans product page shows loan rates, loan-to-value options, funding times, and customer support information
Bitcoin-Backed Loans: The Bitcoin-backed loans product page shows loan rates, loan-to-value options, funding times, and customer support information · Oct 20, 2026
SALT LEND: A SALT Lending page presents bitcoin-backed loans, rates, borrowing options, and service statistics
SALT LEND: A SALT Lending page presents bitcoin-backed loans, rates, borrowing options, and service statistics · Oct 20, 2026

What users say about SALT Lending

User feedback on SALT Lending is minimal and split, with praise for the mobile app's clean interface alongside accusations of misleading collateral practices.

In their own words

“App works great. Usefully for checking LTV I find the app the be clean and intuitive. It’s a great addition to their lending platform which is one of the best in terms of security of your assets.”
App Store · Oct 31, 2020 · View post
“Bad App delete from App Store Scam App don’t sign up they are collecting people info and then asking for collateral deposit”
App Store · Aug 9, 2024 · View post

Based on 1 Reddit posts and comments, 2 App Store reviews from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.

User reviews

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FAQ

What fees does SALT Lending charge on loans?

SALT Lending charges zero origination fees and zero prepayment fees. Interest rates start at 7.49% APR for a 30% LTV loan and range up to 10.50% for a 70% LTV loan.

Where is SALT Lending available?

SALT Lending provides lending services across 47 US states and Washington, D.C. State regulations apply, including minimum loan limits such as $10,000 in California and $5,000 in Maryland.

Does SALT Lending require a credit check?

No, SALT Lending does not run credit checks or verify traditional credit scores. Loans are underwritten strictly against deposited crypto collateral.

How does SALT Lending protect collateral from liquidation?

SALT Lending uses an automated Stabilization mechanism powered by its STAMP engine, which converts crypto collateral into USDC during severe market downturns. Borrowers can also opt into SALT Shield to manage margin calls.

Does SALT Lending have its own native token?

Yes, the platform has historically utilized the SALT network utility token.

What is the maximum loan-to-value ratio on SALT Lending?

The maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio on SALT Lending is 70%, with lower-risk borrowing tiers available at 30% and 50% LTV.

Latest from SALT Lending on X

SALT
@SALTLending · 34.4K followers
Follow
Borrow against Bitcoin with zero margin calls.

SALT Shield®:
No liquidation.
No margin calls.
One-time fee.

Markets are volatile. Your loan doesn’t have to be stressful.

#SALT #SALTLending #Bitcoin https://t.co/0y4qYLLPOT
1 0 0 480 View on X
Digital money is digital freedom.

When did Bitcoin go from curiosity to real?

For one Bitcoiner: a mind virus. “This is amazing.” Mine it. Run a node. Open and permissionless.

What was yours?

#SALT #SALTLending #Bitcoin https://t.co/hukYx5KMfg
1 0 3 506 View on X
New wheels. Same Bitcoin. 🏎️₿

Sell BTC, spend it, or borrow against it?

We compare 3 ways to buy a car with Bitcoin, including taxes, rates & real costs.

Keep your stack. Explore your options. 🔑

#Bitcoin #BitcoinBackedLoans #BTC #Crypto #CryptoFinance #SALT #SALTLending https://t.co/w47aakMQI6
Image attached to the post
1 0 2 443 View on X
SALT has no exposure to Binance. Customer collateral isn't held there, and we don't rely on Binance for liquidity or trading.

Loan terms and account access are unchanged, and no action is needed.

Questions? [email protected]
1 0 6 784 View on X
Borrow cash on Bitcoin without getting liquidated.

3 LTVs: 30%, 50%, 70%.
Rates: 8-13% APR.
SALT Shield®: no-liquidation protection, one-time fee.
SALT Stabilization: converts to stablecoin instead of liquidating (may be a taxable event).

#SALT #SALTLending #Bitcoin https://t.co/KehB1wdEJw
1 0 0 400 View on X

Recent public posts from @SALTLending, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.

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