Matthew, we’d love to hear about your journey in crypto. How long have you been active in the crypto space?

Matthew: I’ve been following crypto for quite a while. Back in 2012, I was offered a portfolio of Bitcoin, but at the time it seemed odd, so I passed. In 2015, I remember watching Bitcoin break through $1,000 and thinking, this can’t be real. Then it climbed to $2,000. I once received a payment in Bitcoin, but I sold it quickly because I was worried the price would collapse. Looking back, those fears weren’t justified.

When Bitcoin reached $15–20k, I realized it was here to stay. That’s when I started digging deeper and understood Bitcoin was becoming an infrastructural asset that would eventually gain institutional recognition. Since then, I’ve been gradually adding Bitcoin to my portfolio and later expanded into other major coins like Ethereum, Chainlink, XRP, and Solana.

Can you walk us through your main use cases for crypto loans?

Matthew: Crypto loans solve several key problems. First, they help me preserve my position without selling, which is beneficial from a tax perspective since I don’t have to realize capital gains. Second, I can use my assets as collateral to borrow and increase my positions, as long as I keep LTV ratios at safe levels and don’t overextend. Third, loans provide a way to monetize my assets without selling them.

For example, I used part of my loan proceeds to support my company’s operational development, a very practical and effective use case. In the end, it’s all about transforming a non-liquid asset into liquidity that can be strategically redirected.

How did your first crypto loan experience go?

Matthew: My first experience was with Ledn, but it only supported Bitcoin and had limited functionality. It didn’t suit my needs. Later, a friend recommended CoinRabbit. I didn’t do extensive reading, mostly my own research. After testing it out, I really liked the experience.

What are the biggest concerns people usually have when taking out loans?

Matthew: What stood out with CoinRabbit was the wide range of supported assets and the growing set of tools for managing my portfolio as a whole. At one point, I had an issue with XRP, but the support team resolved it quickly and efficiently, which gave me confidence in both the team and the platform. I also appreciated the clear, user-friendly interface and the ability to set and monitor liquidation levels in advance.

Do you view crypto loans more as a short-term tool or a long-term strategy?

Matthew: Definitely a long-term strategy. My focus is on portfolio longevity, monetization, and avoiding unnecessary capital gains. At the same time, loans give me flexibility to support my business without losing exposure to my core holdings.

Thinking back on your experience, what advice would you offer someone considering their first crypto loan?

Matthew: My advice would be to have a clear strategy for why you’re taking the loan and how you plan to use it. The market can move both up and down, so you need to be prepared. But if you have a plan, it’s worth taking the step and moving forward.

Last Updated on October 3, 2025 by Dan Marsh