Putting Bitcoin to Work - Episode 5: Who Holds Your Bitcoin?
When you borrow against your bitcoin, one question matters more than most: Who actually controls your coins while the loan is active?
Many borrowers focus on LTVs, interest rates, or terms. But custody—who holds your bitcoin and how—determines your real security and risk exposure.
In this post, we’ll break down what custody means, how it works in CeFi and DeFi, and what to look for before you borrow.
TL;DR
Custody = who controls your bitcoin while your loan is active.
CeFi = custodial: your BTC sits with the lender or a custodian.
DeFi = smart-contract custody: your BTC is held by code, not a company.
Each path carries different risks: operational, smart-contract, governance, and rehypothecation.
Always ask: Can anyone move my bitcoin without my permission?
Why custody is the “invisible risk” most borrowers ignore
A bitcoin loan sounds simple: deposit BTC, get stablecoins, repay later. But once you send that BTC, control shifts. And depending on the custody model, that shift could be minimal, or absolute.
Custody defines your rights:
Can you withdraw anytime?
Could your funds be frozen?
Is your BTC rehypothecated (reused by the lender)?
Understanding custody is the difference between owning bitcoin and hoping you’ll get it back.
CeFi custody: trust, regulation, and operational risk
In centralized finance (CeFi), your BTC is handed to a company or its custodian (e.g., BitGo or Fireblocks). They hold the keys. Not you.
Pros:
Regulated structure and customer support.
Familiar process and fixed-rate terms.
Cons:
You lose direct control of your BTC.
The platform can freeze withdrawals or reuse collateral.
Transparency is limited. You can’t verify balances on-chain.
CeFi custody is convenient, but it’s trust-based. You’re counting on the provider’s integrity and solvency.
DeFi custody: code holds your collateral, not a company
DeFi custody removes the middleman. Your bitcoin (often wrapped) is held by smart contracts that enforce rules automatically: collateralization, liquidation, repayment.
Pros:
Transparent, on-chain logic.
No company controlling your coins.
Accessible 24/7, permissionless.
Cons:
Smart contract vulnerabilities can lead to loss.
Bridges used to wrap BTC can fail or be hacked.
Governance structures may still hide admin controls.
In DeFi, you replace human trust with code trust. It’s a trade-off, but one you can inspect directly on-chain.
True DeFi: Full self-custody until the end
True DeFi pushes things further. No admin keys, no manual overrides, no opaque governance.
You interact directly from your wallet, and no one can touch your bitcoin until liquidation conditions are met.
It’s the cleanest model for transparency and control, but also requires personal responsibility.
You’re your own bank. And that means your own safety net, too.
Rehypothecation: the hidden clause borrowers never read
Rehypothecation happens when your lender reuses your collateral elsewhere. It’s a common practice in traditional finance and some CeFi lending models.
That reuse can generate yield for the platform, but it exposes your bitcoin to extra layers of risk.
If a downstream counterparty fails, your collateral could be gone even if your original lender survives.
In DeFi, rehypothecation is rare, but it can exist through pooled or leveraged structures. Always check for clear disclosures or on-chain traceability before depositing.
Governance risk: who controls the system?
Even in DeFi, someone controls the levers:
admin keys
upgrade paths
pause functions
emergency controls
A platform might be non-custodial today…
…but that can change if governance isn’t transparent.
Good platforms clearly show whether keys exist, who holds them, and what they can do.
What to check before you borrow
1. Who physically or programmatically holds your collateral?
CeFi = custodian.
DeFi = smart contract.
2. Can your BTC be rehypothecated?
If yes, risk increases.
3. Are there independent audits or proof-of-reserves?
The more visibility, the better.
4. What can admin or governance keys do?
Pause withdrawals?
Upgrade contracts?
Move collateral?
A few minutes of due diligence can save years of regret.
FAQs
Is custodial always bad?
No. Some borrowers prefer regulated CeFi lenders for convenience and support. The key is knowing the trade-off: security and control vs simplicity and structure.
How can I tell if a platform is non-custodial?
You connect your wallet, interact on-chain, and can verify your position publicly. If someone else holds your BTC or can pause your account, it’s custodial.
What’s rehypothecation in plain English?
It’s when your lender uses your collateral for their own purposes, like lending your car to someone else while it’s still under your name.
Borrow with clarity
Ready to borrow with full transparency?
Compare CeFi and DeFi loan providers side-by-side (custody, rates, LTVs, and risk signals) all in one place.
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Visit Borrow by Sats Terminal today: borrow.satsterminal.com/