Crypto Holders Overwhelmingly Want Loans, But Trust Issues Hold Them Back

A recent survey conducted by Ledn found that nearly nine out of ten crypto holders are open to taking a loan backed by their digital assets, but only 14% currently use them. This disparity, which Ledn is calling the 'collateral gap,' might be one of the most significant issues in crypto lending right now.

The survey, which polled 1,244 crypto holders across the US and Australia between February 19 and February 24, 2026, showed that price volatility, liquidation risk, and regulatory uncertainty were the top concerns keeping non-users on the sidelines. In contrast, competitive rates or flashy product features ranked lower.

The survey also found that 72% of respondents recognized the core value proposition of crypto-backed borrowing: accessing liquidity without selling long-term holdings. Ledn estimates the current consumer Bitcoin-backed loan market at around $3 billion and projects it could balloon to $1 trillion within the next decade, a nearly 300-fold increase.