Bitcoin Lending Set for Global Expansion as Rates Tumble, Ledn Co-Founder Says
The bitcoin lending landscape is poised for dramatic transformation over the next few years — and borrowers around the world stand to benefit.
According to Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder of crypto lending platform Ledn, the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance will be a game-changer for the sector, opening the floodgates to increased competition and lower borrowing costs.
“In the coming years, we’re going to see a boom in bitcoin-backed loans,” Di Bartolomeo told CoinDesk. “Rates will drop to levels that rival traditional options like home equity loans or personal lines of credit.”
What sets bitcoin lending apart, he emphasized, is its global accessibility. Unlike gold or real estate, which vary by location, bitcoin is uniform across borders. “Bitcoin in Colombia is the same as bitcoin in Madrid. That consistency makes underwriting far more efficient,” he said.
This could have a major impact in emerging markets, where access to affordable financing is often limited. Di Bartolomeo believes people in these regions will soon gain access to high-quality lending options that have typically only been available in wealthier countries.
Fueling this shift is the recent rollback of SEC guidance known as SAB 121 — a controversial accounting rule that previously discouraged banks from holding crypto. With that hurdle now cleared, major financial institutions are eyeing the lucrative crypto lending space.
“Right now it’s a seller’s market,” Di Bartolomeo explained. “We’re issuing fully collateralized loans at over 12.5% with zero defaults in seven years. That’s a compelling return for banks — once they enter the space, competition will drive those rates down.”
He envisions a chain reaction: one bank offers loans at 12%, another undercuts it at 10%, then 9%. “It all compresses, and that’s great news for the consumer.”
Ledn’s Journey From Venezuela to Global Lending Leader
Di Bartolomeo’s path into crypto was shaped by his early experiences in Venezuela during a period of economic collapse. While many of his peers were looking to emigrate, his family discovered the potential of bitcoin mining amid the country’s energy subsidies. That exposure eventually led him to co-found Ledn in 2018 alongside Adam Reeds.
The original goal? Help bitcoin miners access fiat without selling their crypto. The idea caught on — and today, Ledn offers a suite of financial tools, including bitcoin and ether-backed loans, yield accounts, and stablecoin-based savings products.
Now headquartered in Canada, Ledn has served a global client base and was one of the first crypto lenders to offer services in Spanish, giving it an early foothold in Latin America and Spain. When other lenders like BlockFi, Celsius, and Voyager collapsed in 2022, Ledn’s conservative approach helped it survive and grow.
To date, the firm has originated over $9 billion in loans, serving clients ranging from early bitcoin adopters to institutional investors and businesses.
Looking ahead, Di Bartolomeo is confident that Ledn will continue to thrive — even as big banks enter the space.
“We’ve built something durable. The market’s going to get bigger, the table will be huge, and there’ll be plenty to go around,” he said. “As long as we’ve got a seat, we’re in a great spot.”
