Crypto-Backed Loans Boom as BlackRock Lowers IBIT Entry Threshold

The number of loans backed by digital assets has surged in 2026, with retail borrowers averaging 53.5 loans per user, a 74% increase from the previous year.

This growth coincides with BlackRock's decision to lower the minimum threshold for converting large Bitcoin holdings into shares of its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) from $25 million to just $1 million in July.

The reduced threshold is expected to make it easier for family offices and wealthy individuals to access this investment option, as more than $5 billion has already been processed through these conversions since the process became available.