Strike offers 3.6 percent Bitcoin interest on cash balances

Strike, the Bitcoin-focused platform founded by Jack Mallers, has introduced a new feature called Bitcoin Interest on Cash. The service offers US users a 3.6% annual percentage yield on their cash balances, with interest paid out in Bitcoin. Launched on October 6, 2026, the yield accrues daily and is settled monthly in satoshis. However, payouts only occur when the daily interest exceeds $0.01, which means very small balances may not receive immediate payouts.

Strike imposes no minimum or maximum balance requirements for earning the 3.6% rate. Users must opt in through the Strike app, and the feature is currently available only to US individuals. The company emphasizes that cash balances are held at Cross River Bank and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor. Strike itself is not a bank but acts as a platform layer, while the regulated bank holds the dollars.

On the Bitcoin side, Strike ensures that user holdings are kept on a one-to-one basis in multi-signature cold storage. This security measure requires several separate keys to move funds, reducing the risk of a single point of failure. Strike also clarifies that the Bitcoin is not lent out or rehypothecated. The new feature complements other products Strike launched earlier in 2026, including expanded Bitcoin-backed lending options, though the interest product remains separate from the lending business.

The broader strategy aligns with Mallers' vision of building a complete Bitcoin financial stack. Strike began as a payments app and has progressively added features that allow users to save, borrow, and now earn interest without leaving a Bitcoin-centric platform. The interest product targets a common habit among Bitcoin holders who keep some dollars on hand for everyday expenses, eliminating the need to sell Bitcoin for routine bills.