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.
Hodl Finance is a Finnish fintech company offering Bitcoin-backed home loans across Europe. They're one of the few regulated lenders on the continent that will fund a property purchase using Bitcoin as collateral — without requiring you to sell it. If you're a European Bitcoin holder looking to buy property while keeping your BTC intact, Hodl Finance is the most purpose-built option available.
For US borrowers, see Milo or Ledn instead — Hodl Finance's primary market is Europe.
Hodl Finance was founded in Helsinki, Finland in 2021 by a team of Bitcoin believers who wanted to solve the same problem facing HODLers globally: how do you access the value in your Bitcoin without selling it?
Their core product is a Bitcoin-collateralized mortgage for European property purchases. The structure is similar to Bitcoin-backed loans in the US, adapted for European lending regulations and property markets.
Hodl Finance operates under Finnish financial regulations and serves customers across the EU, with particular strength in the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark) and other major European markets.
The process follows the Bitcoin-backed mortgage playbook:
Bitcoin collateral: You transfer Bitcoin to Hodl Finance's custody arrangement. They hold it for the loan duration.
Loan disbursement: Hodl Finance disburses euros (or local currency) for your property purchase.
Property purchase: You complete the purchase using standard local conveyancing processes. The property is in your name.
Dual security: Both the property and Bitcoin collateral secure the loan.
Monthly repayments: You service the loan with regular income. At payoff, Bitcoin is returned.
Hodl Finance's terms reflect the European Bitcoin lending market:
| Feature | Hodl Finance |
|---|---|
| Available markets | EU (primarily Nordic countries) |
| Currency | EUR |
| LTV (against Bitcoin) | Up to 50% |
| Bitcoin haircut | 50% (conservative) |
| Loan term | Up to 10 years |
| Minimum Bitcoin | ~0.5 BTC (depending on property value) |
| Rate | Variable, competitive for crypto mortgages |
| Margin call threshold | When LTV exceeds ~70% |
The 50% LTV against Bitcoin is conservative by design — it creates a significant buffer against Bitcoin price volatility before margin calls are triggered.
The European mortgage market is even less accommodating of Bitcoin holders than the US:
In the EU, capital gains tax on Bitcoin varies significantly by jurisdiction:
For European HODLers in high-CGT jurisdictions, Hodl Finance's no-sale structure can save tens of thousands in taxes — identical logic to the US case.
Hodl Finance is explicit about the financial thesis: Bitcoin holders who believe in long-term appreciation should not sell to buy property.
Their example framework:
If Bitcoin reaches €300,000 in 5 years:
The math is compelling — if your Bitcoin thesis is correct, selling costs you enormously. Hodl Finance lets Bitcoin holders act on conviction.
A natural concern: what happens to your Bitcoin while it's held by Hodl Finance?
Hodl Finance uses regulated custody arrangements with institutional-grade security:
Bankruptcy remoteness is a key question — ask Hodl Finance specifically about what happens to your Bitcoin if the company faces financial difficulties. The answer should involve segregated trust accounts or equivalent protections.
Like all Bitcoin-backed loans, Hodl Finance loans carry margin call risk:
Margin call trigger: When the outstanding loan balance exceeds ~70% of your Bitcoin collateral value (after haircut), Hodl Finance issues a margin call.
Your options:
Example scenario: You have 1 BTC as collateral, loan balance is €42,500 (50% LTV against €85,000 Bitcoin). Bitcoin drops 40% to €51,000. LTV rises to 83% → margin call.
Mitigation: Hodl Finance recommends borrowing at LTVs of 30–40% to create buffer. Conservative borrowers borrow less than the maximum to handle volatility.
For a framework on managing Bitcoin loan LTV, see our Bitcoin Loan LTV Ratio Guide.
| Feature | Hodl Finance | Milo | Ledn Mortgage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary market | Europe (EU) | US | US + global |
| Currency | EUR | USD | USD |
| Loan term | Up to 10 years | 30 years | 30 years |
| LTV (BTC collateral) | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% |
| Regulation | Finnish FIN-FSA | US state-licensed | US + Cayman |
| Best for | European Bitcoin holders | US buyers | US + international |
Pros
Cons
Which European countries does Hodl Finance serve? Primarily EU members, with strongest presence in Nordic countries. Check their current service map — availability evolves as they expand.
Can I use Hodl Finance to buy property in a country where I don't live? Generally, property purchases require residency or at least significant local ties. Discuss your specific situation with Hodl Finance.
What Bitcoin custody arrangement do they use? Ask Hodl Finance directly for current custody partner details. This is critical due diligence for any Bitcoin-backed lending relationship.
Do I need to own the property outright with Hodl Finance, or can it be a second mortgage? Hodl Finance typically funds primary purchases, not second mortgages against existing property. Confirm with their team.
What's the minimum Bitcoin required? This depends on the property price and LTV, but generally you need enough Bitcoin to collateralize the loan at their required ratios. Minimum practical threshold is roughly 0.5–1 BTC depending on property price.
Hodl Finance fills a genuine gap: there are very few regulated options for European Bitcoin holders who want to finance a home purchase without selling their BTC. If you're in the EU with significant Bitcoin holdings and want to buy property, Hodl Finance is the most purpose-built solution available.
The structure is sound — conservative LTV, regulated custody, EU-licensed — though shorter loan terms and variable rates differ from the US market. For most European Bitcoin buyers, Hodl Finance is the right first call.
For the complete picture on Bitcoin mortgages globally, see our Best Bitcoin Mortgage Lenders 2026 guide.
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