Spot loans have been in existence for a long time in the financial markets. Spot loans have been in the traditional banking systems and are now in the crypto markets, but the approach to acquiring the loan is different.
Spot loans in crypto are issued when one would like to trade or invest but not use their assets, so when borrowing the loan, one gives their digital assets as collateral. The difference between spot loans in cryptocurrencies and traditional banking systems is that the processing time in traditional banking takes a lot of time and the interest rates are relatively cheaper compared to crypto spot loans, which are processed quickly and the rates are high. Spot loans can be paid in installments until the loan is completely paid. In case of an emergency, crypto spot loans are suitable
Types of Crypto Loans
There are two main types of crypto loans: centralized finance CeFi and decentralized finance DeFi
For cryptocurrency newbies who would like to understand the nature of crypto loans read this article
Centralized Finance (Ce Fi)
Centralized Finances is regulated, and they use your KYC before issuing a crypto loan. The platforms that conduct these transactions allow their users to exchange currencies from fiat to crypto and vice versa. Using the user’s data helps one avoid evading loans and taxes.
Centralized finance utilizes cross-chain exchanges that allow exchanges to be conducted across different blockchains. This helps in doing the transactions quickly.
Decentralized Finance (De Fi)
Decentralized finances are unregulated; they don’t require the client’s KYC before issuing crypto loans. The loans are issued using DeFi protocols. Unlike centralized finance, transactions are not controlled by any intermediary; they are open and visible to all investors.
Decentralized platforms allow their users to retain ownership of cryptocurrencies. The users are issued private keys that prove ownership of cryptocurrencies. They also enable communication among investors on the platforms.
How to Borrow Crypto Loans
Borrowing crypto spot loans is not a hard thing to do; the steps to be followed are easy. First, you should select the platform where you want to borrow the loan. After selecting the platform of choice, you connect your wallet to the platform with crypto, which will be used as collateral.
Image by Software Testing
You should then select the type of loan that you wish to borrow, either the interest-only loan or the interest-and-principal loan. The difference between the two is that on the interest-only plan, you’ll pay the interest only, just like its name implies. In interest and principal loans, you will pay the interest and the principal; this is more expensive compared to interest-only loans.
After choosing the type of loan, you proceed to select the amount you want to borrow, then transfer the collateral crypto to finalize the loan process. This may involve transferring crypto or giving the private key to the lender; this will be decided by both parties on how the transfer can be conducted.
Differences between Lending and Staking in Crypto
Crypto lending involves giving out your assets that will be lent, and in return, it can generate some profit. The lending process is conducted by the platform that lends it to the loanee, and when paid, the platform splits the profits.
Crypto staking is giving out your cryptocurrency assets to a blockchain that is used by the wallet of your choice. The cryptocurrency given out is usually used to support the blockchain. This usually earns the owner of the cryptocurrency some profit, which is given at the end of the agreed-upon period. Crypto staking is among the safest ways to earn more crypto.
How to stake cryptocurrency
On the wallet of choice, purchase a cryptocurrency that allows proof of stake (PoS); not all cryptocurrencies allow staking. Then join a staking pool that has the same range as the cryptocurrency you have, and you are ready to stake. Different stake pools offer different profits; the more cryptocurrency you stake, the more profits you gain, and vice versa.
However, not all pools guarantee that you can get profits choose reliable pools. After choosing the pool, connect it to your crypto wallet and wait to earn. It is important to note that some cryptocurrencies have a minimum amount required for staking.
Benefits of Spot Loans
The time taken during the whole process is short compared to the traditional banking system, where there is a lot of paperwork to be done, and a lot of time is taken before the approval and depositing of the funds take place.
The interest paid is low compared to the traditional banking system. There is no credit check done before the loan is approved. The loan amount depends on the collateral given; you still retain possession of the cryptocurrency even though it is held as collateral.
In the traditional banking system, the banks stated the terms of payment and the duration for which you were required to repay the loan. In the crypto lending system, you get to choose the time in which you will repay the loan.
Crypto lenders can earn by lending their cryptocurrencies, which will be returned with interest paid by the person who took the loan. The loan’s safety is guaranteed by the collateral given by the loanee. With the volatility in the cryptocurrency market, both parties can make profits if the cryptocurrency value increases.
Risks of Spot Loans
If the loanee refuses to pay the loan and the value of the collateral given falls, it may lead to a loss. The volatility of the market may cause a massive loss even if the loan and the interest are paid; this can occur if the value of the cryptocurrency falls.
Spot loans taken for trading may be at greater risk if the market is not in their favor. This can lead to more losses, as the loanee may lose the asset given as collateral if he or she fails to pay the loan.
Security breaches always pose a threat to investors as they lead to losses. If both parties lose their cryptocurrencies in the event of a breach, they may not be compensated by the exchange platform.
Breaces exist in many ways this article will help you understand different types of breaching
If the exchange platform declares itself bankrupt, it may lead to massive losses among investors who have assets on that exchange platform. The platform will immediately be locked down upon the release of such a statement. This was witnessed in the year 2022 when huge cryptocurrency exchange platforms were declared bankrupt.
Conclusion
Crypto spot loans can be advantageous if the market volatility goes in the favor of both parties if the loan was meant for trading and disadvantageous if it goes against them. Though crypto lending is still in its initial stages, it has more advantages if cryptocurrency enthusiasts use it properly, don’t take advantage of some of the unique features that are not available in the traditional banking system, and fail to pay the loan. This may discourage investors from lending out their cryptocurrencies.
