Xapo Bank Debuts Bitcoin Loans, Calls Out ‘Predatory’ Crypto Lenders

Xapo Bank Debuts Bitcoin Loans, Calls Out ‘Predatory’ Crypto Lenders

  • 18.03.2025 13:55
  • decrypt.co
  • Keywords: Bitcoin

Xapo Bank, a Gibraltar-based private bank, has launched a new service allowing customers to use Bitcoin as collateral for loans of up to $1 million. The bank emphasizes its centralized approach, requiring approval and securing Bitcoin in a vault until repayment, aiming to avoid predatory lending practices seen elsewhere in the crypto industry.

Coinbase ProductsCOINsentiment_dissatisfied
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Estimated market influence

Xapo Bank

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Launched a new service offering Bitcoin-backed loans, which could attract more customers and increase revenue.

Cantor Fitzgerald

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Expanded their own Bitcoin financing businesses, indicating growth in the market.

Coinbase

Coinbase

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Ceased issuing Bitcoin-backed loans in 2023 but reintroduced them later using Morpho protocol.

Morpho Protocol

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Used by Coinbase to offer Bitcoin-backed loans, contributing to market recovery.

Bitwise

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Allocated on Maple Finance for yield from Bitcoin-backed loans.

Maple Finance

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Launched a lending protocol used by Bitwise to earn yield.

Context

Analysis of Xapo Bank's Bitcoin Loan Service

Key Facts and Data Points

  • Xapo Bank launched a new service allowing customers to access up to $1 million in Bitcoin-backed debt, excluding users from the UK and Australia.
  • The service uses Bitcoin as collateral, which Xapo has safeguarded since 2013.
  • Xapo is expanding its "one-stop shop" crypto banking services, competing with Wall Street firms like Cantor Fitzgerald.

Market Trends

  • Crypto lending resurgence: Despite the collapse of major platforms like FTX, Bitcoin-backed lending is making a comeback in the U.S., with Coinbase reintroducing the service via decentralized protocols like Morpho.
  • DeFi adoption: Asset managers are leveraging DeFi platforms like Maple Finance to earn yield from Bitcoin-backed loans.

Competitive Landscape

  • Xapo positions itself as a centralized, regulated alternative to decentralized lending platforms, emphasizing trust and reliability.
  • The bank highlights its strategic differentiation by offering secure, long-term solutions (loans can last up to one year) compared to "predatory" lending practices in the industry.

Business Impact

  • Xapo's move underscores the growing integration of crypto into traditional banking services, with the firm already operating a physical headquarters in Gibraltar and receiving regulatory approval in the UK for interest-bearing Bitcoin accounts.
  • The service caters to long-term Bitcoin holders, who have increasingly avoided risky lending platforms due to past failures and unethical practices.

Industry Implications

  • The expansion of crypto-backed lending by established financial institutions like Xapo signals a shift toward mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies in traditional banking.
  • Regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the U.S., remains a critical factor shaping the future of crypto lending.

Strategic Considerations

  • Xapo's centralized model ensures customer approval and oversight, with Bitcoin held in vaults until loans are repaid.
  • The service aligns with founder Wences Casares' vision for building trust and reliability in crypto banking, positioning the firm as a leader in the space.