Crypto Lending: Everything to Know

By  Beluga Research October 25, 2023

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Summary

  • Crypto lending is the practice of lending digital assets in exchange for interest, allowing users to earn passive income on holdings
  • Lending and borrowing cryptocurrencies originated from the decentralized finance (DeFi) movement, with platforms like Compound paving the way
  • Crypto lending offers advantages such as higher returns, diversification of investment portfolios, access to liquidity and global accessibility
  • Risks of crypto lending include volatility, regulatory uncertainty, counterparty risk and limited recourse in case of default

Overview

Crypto lending is the practice of lending digital assets in exchange for interest, allowing users to earn passive income on holdings. Lenders provide crypto assets to borrowers, who use them for various purposes such as trading, investing or leveraging holdings without selling them. In return, lenders receive interest on the lent funds.

Lending platforms facilitate these transactions, connecting lenders and borrowers while managing the terms and security of the loans. In this way, crypto holders can potentially earn a passive income or access liquidity while keeping digital assets in their possession. However, crypto lending comes with some risks, including the volatility of cryptocurrency markets and the potential for default by borrowers.

A Brief History

Lending and borrowing cryptocurrencies originated from the decentralized finance (DeFi) movement, which gained attention in the crypto space around 2017. DeFi refers to financial applications built on blockchains that aim to recreate traditional financial instruments in a decentralized manner. One innovation within DeFi was decentralized lending protocols, also known as "money markets."

The first significant crypto lending platform, Compound, was launched in 2018 on the Ethereum blockchain and allowed users to lend and borrow ERC-20 tokens using smart contracts to automate interest rates based on supply and demand. Compound's success led to the growth of crypto lending platforms with unique features and offerings.

Crypto Lending: Everything to Know

Crypto lending involves three main actors: Lenders, borrowers and lending platforms.

When taking part in lending, the lenders provide cryptocurrency holdings for lending and earn interest. They choose the amount, duration and interest rates. The borrowers in these transactions seek to borrow cryptocurrencies for trading, leveraging or funding projects. They provide collateral to secure the loan.

Lending platforms connect lenders and borrowers, providing the infrastructure and technology for the process, using smart contracts for loan agreements, interest calculations and collateral management. Risk assessments and lending parameters are set to maintain platform stability. Crypto lending platforms also employ mechanisms such as over-collateralization and liquidation to reduce default risks and protect lenders.

When a borrower requests a loan, the platform matches them with a lender. The borrower then transfers collateral to a smart contract escrow, and the lender transfers the agreed-upon amount. Regular interest payments are made by the borrower, and at the end of the term, the borrower repays the principal and the collateral is returned.

Getting Started

To participate in crypto lending, it is important to choose a reliable lending platform that matches lenders with borrowers. Individuals should conduct thorough research to find a platform with a solid reputation, robust security measures and transparent terms and conditions.

After choosing a reliable platform, the individual can create an account and complete the registration process. This may involve providing personal information, undergoing identity verification and setting up additional security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA). The individual should follow best security practices and choose strong passwords to protect against hacks or unauthorized access.

Next, the individual can deposit the desired cryptocurrency into the lending account. The supported cryptocurrencies will vary depending on the platform, but popular options include bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and stablecoins like Tether (USDT) or USD Coin (USDC).

The individual must choose whether to lend assets individually or participate in a lending pool. Lending individually involves selecting a borrower and setting the loan terms, including the interest rate and duration. On the other hand, participating in a lending pool allows the individual to pool funds with other lenders, and the platform distributes the interest earned proportionally.

Unique Aspects

Crypto lending offers higher interest rates compared to traditional systems. Further, decentralized platforms and the absence of intermediaries enable lenders to earn higher returns. Interest rates vary based on market conditions, borrower demand and the specific cryptocurrency being lent.

Crypto lending provides liquidity without selling assets. Instead of selling cryptocurrencies and potentially incurring taxes or missing out on price appreciation, individuals can lend assets and earn interest while still owning them. This benefits long-term holders who believe in the future growth of assets but want to generate passive income.

Platforms offer flexible loan durations, allowing lenders to choose them based on specific needs. Some platforms offer short-term loans, while others provide options for longer durations, and this flexibility allows lenders to tailor strategies based on financial goals and risk tolerance.

Smart contracts automate the lending process on crypto lending platforms. These self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain ensure transparent and secure transactions, as well as eliminating intermediaries and reducing the risk of fraud or default.

Advantages

  • Potential for Higher Returns - Crypto lending offers the opportunity to earn higher interest rates compared to traditional banking products due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies and the absence of intermediaries.
  • Diversification of Investment Portfolio - By allocating a portion of funds to crypto lending, investors can diversify investment portfolios beyond stocks and bonds, potentially mitigating risk and enhancing overall performance.
  • Access to Liquidity - Through crypto lending platforms, borrowers are provided with quick and convenient access to liquidity, offering faster approval times and fewer restrictions compared to traditional lending processes.
  • Global Accessibility - Cryptocurrency lending is not bound by geographical barriers, allowing anyone with an internet connection to participate, even in underserved regions with limited access to traditional financial services.
  • Flexibility in Loan Terms - Borrowers are often offered a range of loan terms and repayment options by crypto lending platforms, allowing them to tailor the loan to specific needs and have greater control over finances.

Disadvantages

  • Volatility Risk - Cryptocurrencies' price volatility poses risks to lenders and borrowers. Lenders may experience fluctuations in the value of loaned assets, potentially resulting in lower returns or losses. Borrowers may struggle to repay loans if the value of the borrowed cryptocurrency significantly declines.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty - The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies and crypto lending is still evolving in many jurisdictions, introducing uncertainty and potential legal risks for lenders and borrowers. Thus, staying informed and complying with applicable laws is essential for participants in crypto lending.
  • Counterparty Risk - Interactions between lenders and borrowers who may be anonymous or pseudonymous are involved in crypto lending platforms, creating counterparty risk. It is important for participants to exercise due diligence and assess the reputation and trustworthiness of the counterparties.
  • Smart Contract Vulnerabilities - Crypto lending platforms rely on smart contracts, which are not immune to vulnerabilities and bugs. Past security breaches and exploits have led to the loss of funds, so participants should be aware of these risks and choose platforms with robust security measures.
  • Limited Recourse in Case of Default - If a borrower defaults on a loan, the recourse available to lenders in the crypto lending space may be limited compared to traditional lending. Recovering funds can be challenging.