Bitcoin (BTC)
"Earn 4-15% APY on Bitcoin through centralized lending platforms (July 2026)"
3.5
+Pros
- "Earn passive yield on dormant Bitcoin without selling
- Competitive rates from regulated platforms (4-15% APY in 2026)
- EarnPark highest at 15% APY (SEC Regulation D filing # 021-473156, UK registered June 2022, uses Fireblocks MPC custody with daily proof-of-reserves, delta-neutral DeFi/CeFi strategies, daily compounding, instant withdrawals, 100K+ users in 180+ countries, founded 2022)
- Nexo FCA-compliant in UK (Sept 2024), relaunched in US Feb 2026, up to 6.2% APY (base 1-4%, higher for tiers with 10% NEXO holdings), $11B AUM with real-time reserves via Armanino, founded 2018, Zug Switzerland
- Flexible vs fixed-term options available
- Daily/weekly compounding on some platforms
- No need to sell BTC to generate income
- Maintain long-term BTC exposure
- YouHodler ~8% APY with Swiss SRO regulation and $150M insurance (founded 2018)
- Ledn maintained strong track record from 2018-2025 with $10.2B loan origination and survived 2022 crisis"
−Cons
- "Not FDIC insured—carries counterparty/platform risk
- Platform insolvency risk (precedent: Celsius, BlockFi, FTX collapses in 2022)
- BTC price volatility affects USD returns
- Highest rates often require lockup periods, trading volume, or advanced strategies
- Rates vary significantly by platform (4-15% range)
- Yield rates have declined from 2020-2021 highs (20%+)
- Nexo top rates require NEXO token holdings ($5K minimum portfolio, 10% in NEXO for higher tiers up to 6.2%)
- YouHodler ~8% APY average but varies by loyalty tier
- EarnPark 15% APY uses advanced delta-neutral strategies with complexity and not available to US customers
- Smart contract risk for DeFi-based strategies
- Average market rate only ~4-8% APY
- Ledn DISCONTINUED BTC Growth Accounts July 1, 2025—now offers only USDC/USDT yields (6.5% APY) and Bitcoin-backed loans (9.99% APR borrowing rate for US/Canada, not earning rate), no BTC yield earning"
Features
"Flexible interest accounts (no lockup, 4-8% typical)"Flexible interest accounts (no lockup, 4-8% typical)
Fixed-term deposits (higher rates, 30-90 day lockups on some platforms)Fixed-term deposits (higher rates, 30-90 day lockups on some platforms)
Advanced strategies (EarnPark Algo Trend 15% APY uses delta-neutral DeFi/CeFi tools with Fireblocks MPC infrastructure, AI-optimized arbitrage across funding rates/basis spreads/market-making fees, daily compounding, no minimum deposit specified, instant withdrawals, founded 2022, not available to US customers)Advanced strategies (EarnPark Algo Trend 15% APY uses delta-neutral DeFi/CeFi tools with Fireblocks MPC infrastructure, AI-optimized arbitrage across funding rates/basis spreads/market-making fees, daily compounding, no minimum deposit specified, instant withdrawals, founded 2022, not available to US customers)
Tiered rates based on balance, trading volume, or native token holdingsTiered rates based on balance, trading volume, or native token holdings
Daily/weekly/monthly compoundingDaily/weekly/monthly compounding
Bitcoin-backed loans (Nexo from 1.9% APR for Platinum tier with low LTV up to 17.9% APR for Base tier, Ledn from 9.99% APR for US/Canada borrowers with 50% LTV and no origination fee—NOTE: Ledn DISCONTINUED BTC Growth Accounts July 1, 2025, transitioned to Bitcoin-only loan model, only offers Bitcoin-backed loans now with no rehypothecation, no BTC yield earning)Bitcoin-backed loans (Nexo from 1.9% APR for Platinum tier with low LTV up to 17.9% APR for Base tier, Ledn from 9.99% APR for US/Canada borrowers with 50% LTV and no origination fee—NOTE: Ledn DISCONTINUED BTC Growth Accounts July 1, 2025, transitioned to Bitcoin-only loan model, only offers Bitcoin-backed loans now with no rehypothecation, no BTC yield earning)
Founded: Nexo 2018, Ledn 2018 (Bitcoin-only since July 2025), YouHodler 2018, EarnPark 2022Founded: Nexo 2018, Ledn 2018 (Bitcoin-only since July 2025), YouHodler 2018, EarnPark 2022
Nexo US relaunch Feb 2026"Nexo US relaunch Feb 2026"
Fee Structure
Trading Fee"N/A - lending product (platfo
Withdrawal Fee"Varies by platform (network fees + platform fees typically
Deposit Fee"Free for crypto deposits on most platforms; some charge 1-4
Signup Bonus
"Varies by platform"
"Most platforms require KYC verification. Higher yields typically require longer lockup periods, higher deposit tiers, or trading volume requirements (loyalty tiers). Flexible (no lockup) accounts offer lower rates (4-8% typical). EarnPark 15% APY uses Algo Trend strategy (no native token required, daily compounding, instant withdrawals, min deposit varies); Nexo rates increase with NEXO token holdings (up to 6.2% BTC APY for higher tiers with 10% NEXO holdings vs 1-4% for Base tier); YouHodler ~8% APY tiered by trading volume and loyalty level; Ledn DISCONTINUED BTC Growth Accounts July 1, 2025—only offers Bitcoin-backed loans from 9.99% APR (borrowing rate, not earning rate) with 50% LTV and no origination fee for US/Canada borrowers plus stablecoin yields (6.5% APY on USDC/USDT)."
Expert Verdict
"Earn passive income on Bitcoin through centralized crypto lending platforms. Leading providers in 2026: EarnPark 15% APY (UK/SEC-registered, founded 2022, delta-neutral strategies); Nexo 1-6.2% APY (FCA-compliant UK, relaunched US Feb 2026, founded 2018); YouHodler ~8% APY (Swiss SRO PolyReg, founded 2018). NOTE: Ledn discontinued BTC Growth Accounts July 1, 2025—now offers only Bitcoin-backed loans (10.4-12.4% APR borrowing rates) and USDC/USDT yields."
Latest Updated 26th November, 2024
