Summary:
Coinbase launches Bitcoin-backed loans for U.S. users, excluding New York.
Users can borrow up to $100,000 USDC against their Bitcoin holdings.
Loans are disbursed instantly in USDC with flexible repayment options.
Interest rates are variable and adjusted in real-time by Morpho.
Borrowing against Bitcoin offers potential tax benefits.
Coinbase Introduces Bitcoin-Backed Loans
Crypto exchange Coinbase has launched a groundbreaking service that allows U.S. customers (excluding those in New York) to borrow USDC against their Bitcoin holdings. This new offering enables users to access liquidity without needing to sell their Bitcoin, offering instant loans with flexible repayment terms and competitive interest rates.
How It Works
Loans are disbursed instantly in USDC, with repayment options that are flexible and interest rates that are set dynamically by Morpho, an open-source lending protocol on Coinbaseās Layer-2 blockchain Base.
āGetting a Bitcoin-backed loan on Coinbase is now easier and faster than ever. In under a minute, you can get a loan in USDC without ever having to sell your Bitcoin,ā the company stated.
Key Features
- When users borrow USDC against their Bitcoin, the collateral is automatically converted to Coinbase Wrapped Bitcoin (cbBTC) on a 1:1 basis and transferred to the Morpho protocol.
- Users can borrow up to $100,000 USDC, depending on the amount of Bitcoin pledged as collateral.
- Interest rates are variable and adjusted in real-time by Morpho based on market conditions.
- There is no fixed repayment schedule, allowing users to monitor their loan status through the Coinbase app.
- Users face liquidation if the loan amount, including accrued interest, reaches a predetermined level compared to their collateral value.
Benefits of Borrowing vs. Selling
Coinbase emphasizes the advantages of borrowing against Bitcoin rather than selling it, including potential tax benefits by delaying capital gains or losses. This launch is part of Coinbaseās mission to empower customers with āgreater control over their financial lives.ā By merging the accessibility of Coinbase with the transparency of on-chain protocols, the company aims to provide vastly improved financial services.
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