SALT
SALT is a Denver-based crypto-backed lending platform founded in 2016 that enables individuals, businesses, and accredited investors to borrow US dollars against Bitcoin and other digital assets without selling, and to earn yield through the SALT LEND product, operating under US state lending licenses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SALT does
SALT (legal entity Salt Blockchain Inc., formerly Salt Lending Holdings, Inc.) is a Denver-headquartered, US-incorporated crypto-backed lending platform founded in 2016, operating through two wholly-owned subsidiaries: SALT Lending LLC (NMLS 1711910, the loan originator) and SALT Platform, LLC (FinCEN-registered MSB providing custodial wallet services). The company enables individuals, businesses, and accredited investors to borrow US dollars against cryptocurrency collateral without selling the underlying assets, with loans priced starting at 7.49% APR, terms of 1, 3, or 5 years, and loan-to-value ratios up to 70%. On the funding side, SALT operates SALT LEND, a product through which accredited investors deposit Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins to earn up to 10% APY, generating spread income between borrow and lend rates.
The technology stack centers on a self-service web platform at saltlending.com plus native iOS and Android applications, with payment processing handled through a Dwolla ACH integration and asset custody delivered through SALT Platform, LLC's wallet. Proprietary risk management components include the STAMP (Stabilization Through Automated Market Protection) execution engine, which automatically converts crypto collateral to USDC during market downturns to preserve value, and SALT Shield, an opt-in risk protection feature for active loans above $50,000 with LTV below 70%. The Lendy AI chatbot (beta) provides 24/7 automated customer support.
Revenue is generated primarily through interest charged on originated crypto-backed loans, one-time origination fees, and the spread between yields paid to SALT LEND participants and rates charged to borrowers, with ancillary utility from the SALT Token (used for partial collateral, fee payment, and interest rate reduction). The company operates in three customer segments — Personal, Business, and Private Clients — across 25+ US state jurisdictions, and has been rebuilding operations since pausing withdrawals in November 2022 following the FTX collapse and securing a $64.4M Series A in February 2023. California CFL license reinstatement was completed in January 2025, and the company ceased SEC periodic-reporting obligations in September 2024, operating as a private company under founder-CEO Shawn Owen.
SALT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SALT
- Legal name
- Salt Blockchain Inc.
- Website
- http://saltlending.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SALT is a Denver-based crypto-backed lending platform founded in 2016 that enables individuals, businesses, and accredited investors to borrow US dollars against Bitcoin and other digital assets without selling, and to earn yield through the SALT LEND product, operating under US state lending licenses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SALT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryptocurrency Lending
- NAICS
- Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crypto-Backed Consumer Loans (Secured) (FSADAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Crypto-Backed Business / SME Loans (Secured) (FSADAFAH)
Keywords
Where SALT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
SALT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Loan Interest: SALT generates revenue primarily through interest charged on crypto-backed loans. Rates start at 7.49% APR with loan terms of 1, 3, or 5 years. Borrowers can borrow up to 70% LTV against their cryptocurrency collateral.
- Origination Fees: One-time origination fees charged when loans are originated. Promotional offers such as 50% off origination fee are periodically available.
- SALT LEND (Lending to Investors): SALT accepts digital assets from accredited investors and pays yield (up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, 3% on Ethereum, 1.5% on stablecoins), generating spread income between borrowing and lending rates.
- SALT Token Utilities: SALT Tokens can be used for loan collateral (up to 20%), fee payment, loan interest payment, and interest rate reduction. Tokens provide membership discounts and benefits on the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Bitcoin-Backed Loan |
| Subscription | Monthly | SALT LEND (Earn Yield) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SALT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SALT provides Bitcoin and cryptocurrency-backed loans that allow individuals, businesses, and high-net-worth investors to access USD liquidity without selling their digital assets. Loans are offered up to 70% loan-to-value (LTV) at interest rates starting at 7.49% APR over 1, 3, or 5-year terms, with no prepayment fees and no credit checks. The platform additionally offers SALT LEND, a yield-earning product that pays accredited investors up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, 3% on Ethereum, and 1.5% on stablecoins, plus a utility SALT Token usable as partial loan collateral and for fee/interest payments.
Product overview
SALT operates as a crypto-backed lending platform offering a suite of products centered around Bitcoin-backed loans. The core platform enables users to borrow against Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets without selling them. The product portfolio includes SALT Lending Platform (core borrowing product), SALT LEND (yield-earning for lenders), SALT Wallet (custody), SALT Token (utility token), SALT Shield and Stabilization/STAMP (risk management add-ons), Lendy AI Chatbot (customer support), and Loan Calculator (planning tool). The platform serves Personal, Business, and Private Clients segments with tailored lending solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SALT Shield™: Risk management feature for active SALT loans larger than $50,000 with LTV below 70% and more than 3 months away from maturity.
- SALT LEND
- STAMP™
Products and services
- SALT Lending Platform (Bitcoin & Crypto-Backed Loans) Core lending product that enables individuals, businesses, and high-net-worth investors to borrow USD against Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported digital assets without selling them. Loans are originated at up to 70% LTV with rates starting at 7.49% APR over 1, 3, or 5-year terms, no credit checks, no prepayment fees, and funding in 24-48 hours (1-2 business days for businesses).
- SALT LEND Yield-earning product for accredited investors, hedge funds, RIAs, family offices, and wealth managers that pays up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, up to 3% on Ethereum, and up to 1.5% on stablecoins, allowing lenders to retain ownership of their digital assets while generating passive income.
- SALT Wallet Cryptocurrency custody wallet provided through subsidiary Salt Platform, LLC that supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported cryptocurrencies with secure custody and control for assets used as collateral on the SALT lending platform.
- SALT Token ERC-20 utility token that provides membership discounts and benefits on the SALT platform, including use as up to 20% of loan collateral, payment of origination fees and loan interest, and interest rate reductions when redeemed at loan origination.
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero customer losses since 2016 through market volatility
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use SALT
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SALT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
SALT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RipplecoreSALT is co-hosting the Institutional Summit with Ripple at Swell 2026, scheduled for October 27-29 at The Shed in Hudson Yards, NYC. This is Ripple's biggest NYC event yet, featuring over 50 sessions and institutional engagement around XRP.
- Penrose PartnerscoreSALT co-organizes the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum 2026 (May 11-15, 2026) with Penrose Partners. The event brings together infrastructure platforms, policymakers, blockchain innovators, institutional investors, and asset managers.
- DwollacoreSALT uses Dwolla's ACH payment infrastructure for payment processing functionality. Users must open a Dwolla Account and accept Dwolla's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to use payment features.
- Bitcoin, Inc.minorSALT has partnered with Bitcoin, Inc. to help showcase the power of Bitcoin at conferences like BTC Las Vegas.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SALT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Aave: Leading decentralized lending protocol on Ethereum and multiple chains offering crypto-collateralized borrowing and lending via smart contracts. Competes with SALT on the lending side with no KYC requirements, putting margin pressure on CeFi competitors.
- Compound: Decentralized money market protocol enabling algorithmic crypto lending and borrowing. Represents the DeFi alternative that competes with SALT's centralized lending model on price, accessibility, and transparency.
- Maple Finance: Institutional-grade on-chain credit marketplace facilitating undercollateralized and crypto-collateralized loans. Comparable to SALT's institutional lending ambitions but operates via decentralized pools and smart contracts.
Direct peers
- Nexo: Crypto-backed lending platform offering USD loans against Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets, plus interest-earning accounts. Closely comparable to SALT in product offering (borrow + earn yield), customer base (retail and institutional crypto holders), and centralized business model.
- BlockFi: Was a direct competitor to SALT in crypto-backed lending and interest accounts before filing for bankruptcy in November 2022 following FTX exposure. Highly comparable in product set (crypto loans, yield accounts) and target customer, though now defunct.
- Celsius Network: Former centralized crypto lender offering similar Bitcoin-collateralized loans and yield-bearing accounts. Direct competitor to SALT that filed for bankruptcy in July 2022 — useful historical benchmark for the model SALT operates.
- Ledn: Bitcoin-focused lending and savings platform serving retail and business customers with crypto-collateralized loans. Comparable to SALT in product (BTC-backed loans) and target market, with a similar emphasis on regulatory compliance and security.
- Genesis Global Trading: Institutional crypto lender that offered Bitcoin-collateralized loans before halting withdrawals and filing for bankruptcy in January 2023. Directly comparable to SALT's institutional/private clients lending, illustrating both the opportunity and risks in the space.
- Matrixport: Asia-based crypto financial services platform offering lending, borrowing, and yield products against crypto collateral. Comparable to SALT in business model, with stronger institutional and Asian geographic focus.
- Unchained Capital: Bitcoin-native financial services company offering collateralized loans and custody. Direct competitor to SALT in the Bitcoin-collateralized loan category with emphasis on self-custody and institutional clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SALT social profiles
Digital presenceSALT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
SALT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SALT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
SALT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
SALT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SALT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments8 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SALT
What does SALT do?
SALT provides Bitcoin and cryptocurrency-backed loans that allow individuals, businesses, and high-net-worth investors to access USD liquidity without selling their digital assets. Loans are offered up to 70% loan-to-value (LTV) at interest rates starting at 7.49% APR over 1, 3, or 5-year terms, with no prepayment fees and no credit checks. The platform additionally offers SALT LEND, a yield-earning product that pays accredited investors up to 10% APY on Bitcoin, 3% on Ethereum, and 1.5% on stablecoins, plus a utility SALT Token usable as partial loan collateral and for fee/interest payments.
Is SALT a public or private company?
SALT is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SALT founded?
SALT was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SALT based?
SALT is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does SALT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest is the primary driver. The others are origination Fees, SALT LEND (Lending to Investors) and SALT Token Utilities.
Who are SALT's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Aave, Compound and Maple Finance. Direct peers are Nexo, BlockFi, Celsius Network, Ledn, Genesis Global Trading, Matrixport and Unchained Capital.
Does SALT have an API?
No public API is recorded for SALT.
What industry is SALT in?
SALT's product category is Cryptocurrency Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAFAG, Crypto-Backed Consumer Loans (Secured), with a secondary code of FSADAFAH, Crypto-Backed Business / SME Loans (Secured). Its NAICS code is 522 and its SIC code is 6141.