Borrowing from Coinbase: Not Quite Like Hitting Up Your Best Friend for a Twenty
Let's face it, folks, we've all been there. You're staring down an empty fridge, your car decides to impersonate a whale and beach itself on the highway, and your bank account is doing a convincing impression of a tumbleweed in a ghost town. Enter the ever-so-tempting idea of borrowing some cash.
Now, if you're picturing that awkward exchange with your best friend where you have to explain why you need their last twenty bucks for, well, reasons, fear not! We're here to talk about borrowing from Coinbase, the slightly-less-judgmental (and hopefully more financially sound) option.
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How To Borrow From Coinbase |
But First, a Disclaimer:
This ain't your grandma's loan. There's always risk involved, so buckle up and read the fine print before you dive in. This post is not financial advice, just a friendly chat about your options.
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So, How Does it Work?
Coinbase used to offer a program called Coinbase Borrow, which basically let you use your crypto holdings as collateral to borrow cash. Think of it like using your fancy watch as a deposit at the pawn shop, but hopefully, things won't get that dire.
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However, Coinbase Borrow is no longer offering new loans. But fear not, intrepid borrower! They recently announced a new program that allows you to borrow cash using your Bitcoin as collateral. That's right, your digital gold can now help you out in a pinch (just don't tell your grandma you're pawning the family heirlooms... virtually, of course).
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Here's the Catch (There's Always a Catch, Right?)
- Limited access: As of now, borrowing is by invitation only for eligible US customers with Bitcoin in their Coinbase portfolio. So, you might need to wait your turn like a kid at the ice cream truck.
- Collateral requirements: You can only borrow up to 40% of the value of your Bitcoin and there's a minimum loan amount of $10. So, if all you need is a few bucks for pizza, this might not be the best option.
- Interest: You'll be charged interest on your loan, which is currently around 8.7% APR. That's not exactly free money, so make sure you have a plan to repay the loan with interest.
The TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) Version:
Borrowing from Coinbase with Bitcoin as collateral is an option, but it's not a magic money machine. Make sure you understand the risks, meet the eligibility requirements, and have a solid repayment plan before you take the plunge.
And hey, if all else fails, there's always the tried-and-true method of selling some of that unused stuff on Craigslist. Just remember, borrowing responsibly is key to keeping your financial house in order (and avoiding those awkward conversations with your best friend).