Our assessment
Firefish connects borrowers with funding through a Bitcoin-secured marketplace, using an escrow structure instead of a conventional custodied loan. Matching liquidity matters. The service fee is deducted from Bitcoin collateral, and partial repayment does not itself improve the documented collateral-health calculation.
Start with Ledn if…
You want a managed Bitcoin-backed loan and put weight on Ledn’s lending history, Open Book Report and separate Proof of Reserves program.
Explore Ledn ↗Consider Firefish if…
Bitcoin escrow and a choice of supported bank currencies or USDC; standard requests can specify desired loan terms.
Explore Firefish ↗The comparison at a glance
| Dimension | Ledn | Firefish |
|---|---|---|
| Rate shown | 9.25–10.99% published APR | From 5% · Advertised starting rate |
| Rate context | 9.25% tier begins at $2M; 10.99% below $250K. See source discrepancy note. | Plus a 1.5% p.a. origination fee and network fees; marketplace offer determines price. |
| Collateral | BTC | BTC |
| Starting LTV | 50% typical starting LTV | 50% initial LTV |
| Term | 12 months standard | 3–24 months advertised |
| Collateral model | Custodied; restricted re-posting permitted | Bitcoin multisignature escrow |
| Fees | APR includes applicable fees; jurisdiction matters | 1.5% p.a. origination deducted from BTC + network fees |
Source snapshots: Ledn and Firefish. See rate-source discrepancies; these figures are not executable quotes.
The advertised rate excludes an important charge
Firefish advertises rates from 5%; its FAQ specifies a 1.5% annualized origination fee deducted from Bitcoin during collateral locking. Include that cost and network fees when comparing with a published APR. The accepted offer determines the actual interest rate.
Marketplace matching differs from a lender quote
Standard loans are matched with investors; Firefish also describes an Instant option. For a time-sensitive expense, establish whether funding is committed, in which currency and on what schedule. The FAQ lists EUR, CZK, CHF, PLN and USDC, rather than promising every fiat currency.
Collateral-health rules require careful reading
Firefish’s collateral FAQ says liquidation occurs at 95% LTV and partial repayment alone does not change collateral health or release collateral. Top-ups or full repayment are the stated routes to improve the position. Do not assume the mechanics of another lender apply to this escrow contract.
How we weigh the evidence
Ledn’s operating record and published reports provide due-diligence material, not guarantees. Its reported investment-grade rating applies to senior notes of a specific securitization, not to customer collateral or every Ledn obligation.
Compare dated evidence for the exact product: collateral permissions, funding arrangements, performance during market stress and the borrower’s contractual rights. Different custody and funding models deserve specific analysis rather than a blanket safe-or-unsafe label.
A practical next step: Request quotes for the same net amount and planned repayment date. Keep collateral value, fee treatment and exit assumptions consistent. Use the cost calculator to explore how an upfront charge changes a short loan.
Common questions
Is Firefish’s starting rate an all-in APR?
No all-in conclusion follows from the headline. Add the disclosed 1.5% p.a. origination fee, network costs and the accepted offer’s interest, using the actual loan duration.
Explore the individual guides: Ledn FAQs and Firefish FAQs.
Sources and scope
This analysis uses provider documentation, not hands-on loan testing. Comparative assessments are analysis, not provider guarantees. Financial figures and availability can change after the review date.
- Firefish: product / borrowing documentation
- Firefish: supporting product documentation (/borrow)
- Firefish: supporting product documentation (/faq/borrowing/collateral)
- Firefish: supporting product documentation (/faq/borrowing/bitcoin)
- Ledn: rates, LTV and repayment
- Ledn: Custodied Loan policy
- Ledn: Open Book Report and separate Proof of Reserves
- Ledn: senior ABS-note rating announcement
- Ledn: published operating history