Lender comparison

Bitcoin-backed loans in Switzerland: a lender comparison.

Last updated July 2026 by Bitcoin First.

ParameterFirefishSygnumLedn
Status✓ Confirmed by lender 07/2026Public info, awaiting confirmationPublic info, awaiting confirmation
ModelP2P multisig marketplace (EU, MiCA)Regulated Swiss bankOffshore custodial (Cayman)
Custody3 of 3 Taproot multisig, open sourceBank custody (MultiSYG 3 of 5 with borrower key announced H1 2026)Third party custodian
RehypothecationImpossible by designNoPossible on standard product, segregated option exists
Max LTV50%≈50%≈50%
Margin callStaged 73 · 79 · 86%Bank set≈70%
LiquidationOnly above ≈95%Bank set≈80%
Cure period after margin callAsked, awaiting answerAsked, awaiting answerAsked, awaiting answer
Rates5 to 8% market set; OTC ≥€50k ≈ +2ppTo be confirmed≈11 to 14%
Min loan800 EUR/CHF≈CHF 100k+≈USD 1k
Loan styleBullet, 3 to 24 months, early repayment freeLombard lineMonthly interest

Rows marked "public information" are compiled from lender websites and announcements as of the date above and may change without notice. Confirmed rows come from written answers by the lender to Bitcoin First. Rates and thresholds always follow the lender's contract.

Mechanics

The three numbers that matter.

LTV: loan ÷ collateral value

The ratio between what you owe and what your bitcoin is worth right now. It moves every time the price does.

Margin call threshold: the warning

The LTV at which the lender asks you to add collateral or repay part of the loan. You still control the outcome, as long as you can act in time.

Liquidation threshold: the forced sale

The LTV at which the lender sells your bitcoin to close the loan. Worked example: 1 BTC at CHF 100'000, loan CHF 30'000 = 30% LTV; at a 70% margin call threshold, bitcoin must fall to about CHF 42'900 before trouble.

Learn more

Questions about bitcoin-backed loans.

Answers we give clients before they borrow. Tap any question to open.

  • 01What is the weekend problem?

    Bitcoin trades 24/7 but bank transfers don't move on weekends. A Saturday price gap can trigger a margin call you cannot cure until Tuesday, which is why the cure period and automatic or discretionary liquidation matter more than the headline rate.

  • 02Can I get a bitcoin-backed loan in Switzerland?

    Yes. Swiss-regulated banks and fintechs offer them, alongside international non-custodial platforms available to Swiss residents.

  • 03What is rehypothecation and why does it matter?

    It's when a lender re-lends your collateral. If that lender fails, your bitcoin can be gone even if you never missed a payment. That's how clients of Celsius lost coins in 2022. Multisig escrow models make it structurally impossible.

  • 04What LTV is safe?

    No guarantee exists, but at 30% LTV bitcoin must fall roughly 57% before a typical 70% margin-call threshold is reached. Above 50% LTV, ordinary volatility can trigger liquidation.

  • 05What is a margin-call cure period?

    The time a lender gives you to add collateral or repay after a margin call before escalating. On weekends, when bank transfers don't move, this clause decides everything.

  • 06Do Swiss private individuals pay capital gains tax when selling bitcoin instead?

    Generally no for private investors. That means the reason to borrow in Switzerland is usually keeping your position, not tax.

  • 07Who is behind this comparison?

    Bitcoin First, an independent advisory in Geneva. No commissions or referral fees from any lender; clients pay a flat fee directly.

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