ViaBTC Collateral-Pledged Loans allow eligible users to pledge supported crypto assets and borrow USDT without selling the pledged assets immediately.
For miners, this may be relevant when an electricity, hosting, repair, or other operating expense is due in USDT while BTC or another supported asset is being held.
Borrowing does not remove market risk. The borrower remains exposed to changes in the value of the pledged assets and pays interest on the outstanding loan. If collateral value falls enough, Current LTV can rise toward the platform's margin-call or liquidation thresholds.
The product should therefore be understood as a liquidity tool with collateral and interest risk, not as a way to eliminate the economic consequences of a falling crypto price.
Supported Collateral and Loan Currency
ViaBTC's current public product materials list BTC, BCH, LTC, and DOGE as supported collateral assets, with USDT as the borrowing currency.
The live product page currently displays:
- APR: 9.9%
- minimum loan amount per transaction: 50 USDT
Product parameters can change, so users should check the live interface immediately before borrowing.
See: ViaBTC Collateral-Pledged Loans
How the Loan Works
The basic process is:
- Add supported crypto as collateral.
- Select a USDT borrowing amount.
- Confirm the loan.
- Receive the borrowed USDT in the main account.
- Monitor Current LTV and accrued interest.
- Repay the loan and redeem collateral according to the applicable rules.
ViaBTC's operation guide states that collateral can be added from a main account or sub-account, while loan proceeds are credited to the main account.
ViaBTC also uses a unified-position approach. Supported pledged assets and outstanding loans are consolidated for risk calculations rather than being treated as completely isolated positions.
See: Crypto Loans Operation Guide
How Collateral Value Is Calculated
ViaBTC calculates collateral value using:
Collateral Value = Collateral Amount × Coin Price × Discount Rate
The current public product materials list:
- BTC discount rate: 100%
- BCH discount rate: 95%
- LTC discount rate: 95%
- DOGE discount rate: 95%
For example, if 1,000 USDT worth of LTC is pledged and the applicable discount rate is 95%, the collateral value used for LTV purposes would be 950 USDT before other changes in price.
The discount rate is part of risk valuation. It should not be interpreted as a fee deducted from the user's collateral.
ViaBTC also publishes maximum collateral values used when calculating borrowing capacity. Current public limits should be checked in the live interface because these values can change.
Current LTV: The Main Risk Measure
ViaBTC uses Current LTV to show the relationship between total debt and collateral value.
Current LTV = Total Debt / Collateral Value × 100%
Total debt includes outstanding principal and accrued interest.
Current LTV can rise because collateral prices fall, interest accrues, collateral is removed where permitted, or additional borrowing increases debt.
Consider a simplified example.
If discounted collateral value is 10,000 USDT and total debt is 3,000 USDT:
Current LTV = 3,000 / 10,000 × 100% = 30%
If collateral value later falls to 6,000 USDT while debt remains close to 3,000 USDT:
Current LTV = 3,000 / 6,000 × 100% = 50%
The example does not predict a price move or liquidation. It only shows how a lower collateral value raises LTV even when principal is unchanged.
For BCH, LTC, and DOGE, the 95% discount rate means the collateral value used for risk calculations is lower than the undiscounted market value.
Interest Calculation
ViaBTC documents daily simple interest:
Daily Interest = Outstanding Principal × APR / 365
At a 9.9% APR, a 10,000 USDT principal maintained for 30 billed days would produce an illustrative interest amount of:
10,000 × 0.099 / 365 × 30 = 81.37 USDT
This is only an example.
ViaBTC states that one day of interest accrues immediately when borrowing, partial days count as full days, and subsequent interest accrues daily at 00:00 UTC.
The live amount shown in the account should therefore be used for actual repayment planning.
See: ViaBTC Crypto Loans User Agreement
Repayment Methods
USDT repayment is applied to accrued interest before principal according to ViaBTC's published agreement.
This matters when a user wants to reduce Current LTV: part of the repayment may first cover accumulated interest before reducing principal.
ViaBTC also allows collateral repayment under the applicable rules. In that case, collateral is sold to settle debt.
Collateral repayment therefore involves a crypto sale. It should not be described as preserving the pledged asset position.
Auto Pledge
ViaBTC provides an optional Auto Pledge feature.
According to the operation guide, when Current LTV reaches or exceeds Margin Call LTV, Auto Pledge can transfer eligible supported assets from the mining account into collateral with the aim of bringing Current LTV back toward Initial LTV.
Auto Pledge may reduce the need for a manual collateral transfer, but it does not eliminate liquidation risk.
Its operation depends on eligible assets being available, the size and speed of the market move, and current platform rules.
Users should also consider that assets transferred into collateral may no longer be immediately available for other account uses.
Margin Call and Liquidation
ViaBTC currently publishes liquidation LTV tiers based on total debt:
- total debt ≤ 10,000 USDT: 96%
- 10,000 USDT < total debt ≤ 50,000 USDT: 95%
- total debt > 50,000 USDT: 94%
The current public documentation also lists a 2% forced-liquidation fee.
When Current LTV reaches the relevant thresholds, ViaBTC may issue notifications through supported account channels.
A notification is not a guarantee that market conditions will allow enough time for a manual response.
Users should rely on the exact thresholds displayed for their current position and the latest product terms.
Loan Interest Discount Coupons
Eligible users may receive Loan Interest Discount Coupons.
When an applicable coupon is activated, it can reduce loan interest according to the discount rate and validity period shown on the coupon.
Coupon eligibility, validity, and scope should be checked in the account before relying on a discounted rate.
See: ViaBTC Coupon Guide
Factors to Review Before Borrowing
Before opening a collateral-backed loan, review:
- the amount of USDT actually needed;
- the current APR;
- the expected borrowing period;
- the current collateral discount rate;
- Initial LTV, Margin Call LTV, and Liquidation LTV;
- the planned repayment source;
- the ability to add collateral or make a partial repayment if LTV rises;
- whether Auto Pledge is enabled;
- the effect of collateral repayment or forced liquidation;
- jurisdictional availability and eligibility.
A repayment plan that depends mainly on the pledged asset increasing in price introduces additional risk.
The product mechanics should be evaluated against the user's own cash-flow and collateral position rather than a general assumption that borrowing is better or worse than selling.
Conclusion
ViaBTC Collateral-Pledged Loans let eligible users borrow USDT against supported crypto collateral without selling the assets immediately.
The main mechanics are straightforward:
- collateral is valued using coin prices and discount rates;
- interest accrues daily;
- Current LTV rises when debt grows or collateral value falls;
- users can repay with USDT or, under the applicable rules, settle through collateral;
- Auto Pledge can add eligible collateral when its trigger conditions are met;
- forced liquidation can occur if LTV reaches the applicable threshold.
For miners using the product for short-term operating liquidity, the most important step is to understand the live APR, Current LTV, repayment rules, and liquidation thresholds before borrowing.
FAQ
Can I borrow USDT without selling BTC?
Yes. Eligible users can pledge BTC and borrow USDT. The pledged BTC remains collateral unless it is later sold through collateral repayment or liquidation.
Which assets can be used as collateral?
ViaBTC currently lists BTC, BCH, LTC, and DOGE. Check the live interface before borrowing because supported assets can change.
What is Current LTV?
Current LTV is total debt divided by collateral value, expressed as a percentage.
Does Auto Pledge prevent liquidation?
No. It can transfer eligible assets into collateral when its trigger conditions are met, but it does not eliminate price or liquidation risk.
Are loan interest rates fixed forever?
No. Product terms can change. Check the APR shown in the live loan interface.
Can a Loan Interest Discount Coupon reduce interest?
An eligible active coupon can reduce loan interest according to the coupon's stated discount rate and validity period.