Hodl Finance is a Finnish fintech offering Bitcoin-backed home loans across Europe — buy property without selling your BTC. Review of their terms, custody, and how they compare.
The Short Answer
Battery Finance is a Bitcoin-native lending company that lets you use your Bitcoin as collateral to finance a home purchase — without selling it. You keep your BTC stack intact, borrow USD against it, and pay the loan back over time. If Bitcoin appreciates during your loan term, you benefit from both homeownership and Bitcoin price gains.
This is a relatively new product category, and Battery Finance is one of the earliest movers building mortgage-grade infrastructure specifically for Bitcoin holders.
What Is Battery Finance?
Battery Finance was founded to solve a specific problem: Bitcoin holders who want real estate exposure are forced to choose — sell BTC to buy real estate, or hold BTC and rent. Battery Finance eliminates that choice.
Their product is a Bitcoin-collateralized real estate loan: you pledge Bitcoin as collateral, receive a USD mortgage, and use it to purchase property. The property itself also serves as security for the loan. Your Bitcoin remains in custody (held in a controlled account) for the loan duration.
This is different from:
- Conventional mortgages (which don't accept Bitcoin collateral at all)
- Non-QM loans like Griffin Funding (which require you to sell Bitcoin for the down payment)
- Bitcoin-backed loans like Ledn (which provide USD without property purchase structure)
How It Works
Step 1: Bitcoin collateral deposit You transfer your Bitcoin to a custody arrangement Battery Finance controls. The amount depends on the property value and your desired LTV.
Step 2: Property purchase loan Battery Finance funds the property purchase with a USD mortgage. The property deed goes in your name.
Step 3: Dual collateral structure Both the property AND your Bitcoin secure the loan:
- Property: standard mortgage lien
- Bitcoin: pledged collateral
This dual collateral structure allows Battery Finance to lend at higher LTVs than pure Bitcoin loans, while managing their downside with two asset classes that typically don't correlate.
Step 4: Loan repayment Monthly payments service the loan. At payoff, your Bitcoin collateral is returned.
Who It's For
The Battery Finance product targets a specific Bitcoin holder profile:
- Long-term HODLers who believe Bitcoin's value will appreciate significantly over the next 5–15 years
- High conviction holders who refuse to sell BTC under any circumstances — including to buy a house
- Tax-optimized buyers who want to avoid triggering capital gains on appreciated Bitcoin
- Income earners who can service monthly mortgage payments from regular income
The core thesis: If Bitcoin goes from $85,000 to $500,000 over a 10-year mortgage, you've captured that gain while also building equity in real estate. Selling Bitcoin to buy a house caps your Bitcoin upside.
Tax Efficiency: The Hidden Advantage
For US Bitcoin holders with significant unrealized gains, selling BTC to fund a house purchase triggers capital gains tax:
- Short-term gains (held <1 year): ordinary income rates up to 37%
- Long-term gains (held >1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20%
Example: You bought 2 BTC at $5,000 each ($10,000 total). They're now worth $170,000. You want to buy a $850,000 home with a 20% down payment ($170,000).
If you sell: You realize $160,000 in capital gains. At 15% long-term capital gains rate, you owe $24,000 in taxes — before you even close on the house.
With Battery Finance: You pledge the 2 BTC as collateral. No sale, no taxable event, no $24,000 tax bill. The Bitcoin continues appreciating tax-deferred.
Loan Terms and Structure
Battery Finance's specific terms are negotiated per loan, as this is an institutional-grade product rather than a commodity mortgage. General parameters:
| Feature | Battery Finance |
|---|---|
| Loan type | Bitcoin-collateralized real estate |
| LTV (property) | Up to 60–70% |
| Bitcoin haircut | 30–40% applied to BTC collateral value |
| Loan term | 5, 10, or 15 years |
| Geographic focus | US (primary markets) |
| Minimum loan | $500,000+ |
| Rate | Higher than conventional (risk premium) |
Because this is a newer product category with dual-collateral structure, rates carry a premium over conventional mortgages. The target buyer values Bitcoin preservation over rate optimization.
Risk Management: What Happens If Bitcoin Drops?
The dual-collateral structure creates unique risk scenarios:
Bitcoin price drop: If Bitcoin falls significantly, the loan-to-value on your Bitcoin collateral deteriorates. Battery Finance may:
- Issue a margin call — requiring you to deposit additional Bitcoin
- Accept a higher LTV temporarily (within pre-agreed thresholds)
- Partially liquidate Bitcoin collateral to restore LTV
Property value drop: Standard mortgage risk. If you default, Battery Finance can foreclose on the property.
Both drop simultaneously: The most challenging scenario. Battery Finance underwrites for this with conservative LTV limits and stress testing.
Mitigation strategy: Borrow conservatively. If your property LTV is 50% and your Bitcoin haircut value well exceeds loan requirements, you have significant buffer before margin calls.
Battery Finance vs Milo vs Ledn Mortgage
| Feature | Battery Finance | Milo | Ledn Mortgage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin collateral | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Property purchase | Yes (built-in) | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum loan | $500K+ | $150K+ | $150K+ |
| Markets | US (select) | US | US, select global |
| Loan term | 5–15 years | 30 years | 30 years |
| Best for | High-value properties, max BTC preservation | Most US Bitcoin mortgage buyers | International + US buyers |
For a comprehensive comparison, see our Bitcoin Mortgage Lenders guide and our Milo vs Ledn vs Unchained comparison.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Buy real estate without selling Bitcoin
- Tax-efficient: no capital gains event
- Bitcoin continues appreciating while you own the home
- Dual-collateral structure enables higher LTVs than pure BTC loans
- Bitcoin-native company that understands the HODLer mindset
Cons
- Bitcoin locked as collateral for loan duration
- Margin call risk if Bitcoin price drops significantly
- Higher rates than conventional mortgages
- High minimum loan ($500K+) — not for entry-level properties
- Newer company — limited track record vs. established mortgage lenders
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my Bitcoin during the loan? It's held in custody (controlled by Battery Finance under agreed terms). You cannot sell or move it during the loan. When the loan is paid off, it's returned to you.
Can I make extra payments to release Bitcoin earlier? Terms vary — ask Battery Finance about partial release provisions when discussing your specific loan.
What if I default? Battery Finance can foreclose on the property and/or liquidate Bitcoin collateral. As with any secured loan, defaulting on a Battery Finance mortgage puts both assets at risk.
Is this available for investment properties? Primarily owner-occupied, but inquire directly — they may have products for investment properties.
How does custody work — is my Bitcoin safe? Battery Finance uses regulated custody arrangements. Ask specifically about custody structure, insurance, and bankruptcy remoteness before committing.
Bottom Line
Battery Finance offers something very few mortgage lenders do: a pathway to homeownership that preserves your entire Bitcoin stack. For long-term HODLers with significant unrealized gains who want real estate exposure without selling BTC, it's a compelling product.
The caveats are real: higher rates, Bitcoin locked as collateral, margin call risk, and a high minimum. But for the right buyer — high-net-worth, high-conviction Bitcoin holder who wants both a house and Bitcoin — Battery Finance solves the problem elegantly.
See also: Best Bitcoin Mortgage Lenders 2026 | Bitcoin-Backed Mortgage Guide | Bitcoin vs Real Estate 2026