YouHodler Review: Earn Interest & Take Out Loans on Cryptocurrency Holdings

 

Cryptocurrencies are often viewed as a potential challenger to traditional fiat money. However, newbie investors are often put off by the ultra-volatile nature of the space.

The key for success here, much like any other market, is to hold onto your assets through ineluctable market fluctuations.

With that said, this is certainly easier said than done. The ever-changing performance of cryptocurrencies makes it tough to ‘HODL’ — especially when you need unrestricted access to your assets.

YouHodler was launched as the ideal solution for this dilemma.

The platform allows investors to hold on to their cryptocurrencies while having the option to leverage it for loans. To no surprise, the platform has been an instant hit with the digital currency community, subsequently expanding its ventures to become a multi-faceted crypto-fiat financial service.

In this article, we provide a detailed and comprehensive review of YouHodler, and how crypto investors can take advantage of its services.

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What is YouHodler?

YouHodler is a Swiss-based company that serves as a crypto-backed loan service provider. One of its main concepts is that you can still HODL, without having to wait for a spike to sell.

It allows users to borrow fiat funds instantly, based on the value of their cryptocurrency asset holdings. Apart from that, one can convert crypto to crypto, crypto to fiat, and also engage with stablecoins.

The most beneficial feature would be the option to withdraw fiat to a personal bank account or personal credit card. Users can also hold their cryptocurrency in a YouHodler savings account.

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to consider YouHodler as a bank for your cryptocurrency. It is efficient and quick, allowing users to transfer their crypto assets with ease.

How to Use YouHodler?

The platform focuses on delivering a well-rounded experience for its users. You will find everything that a crypto owner or an investor would possibly need. In other words, YouHodler offers a variety of services that lets you harness your digital assets.

YouHodler Wallet

YouHodler’s wallet is designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. You can transfer your cryptocurrency, convert it to fiat, and hold the funds for investment purposes in your wallet. The company offers dedicated wallet designs for Bitcoin and over 14 other popular cryptocurrencies.

If you are taking advantage of other features offered by YouHodler, this is where you will manage your account, as well as receive any earnings. YouHodler has also partnered with a number of institutions that allow you to hold your fiat currencies safely and securely.

Your crypto-to-fiat wallet is the single window with which you can get loans, open a savings account, or manage your investments.

Obtain a Loan with YouHodler

Perhaps the most notable feature at YouHodler is its ability to offer you loans. An investor could consider these financing opportunities as a means of hedging. Crucially, it gives you access to a flexible path to enter the cryptocurrency trading markets.

With a crypto-backed line of credit, you can get fiat when you need it without touching your crypto portfolio at all. It eliminates a big part of the risk that accompanies investment choices.

YouHodler is undoubtedly a leading player in this space — not least because it offers a top-rate loan-to-value ratio of up to 90%. Outpacing its competitors, YouHodler accepts 15 different digital coins as collateral.

Users can receive both instant cash loans and crypto loans in USD, EURO, GBP, CHF, and even in Bitcoin(BTC) and Tether(USDT). The interest rates on crypto loans are fairly reasonably at 12% APR. If you are taking out a short-term loan, you could get your interest rate as low as 2.5%.

Now let’s break down the loan process that YouHodler has in place.

How to Request a Loan at YouHodler

YouHodler gives you a few options to choose how you want to back your loan. You can apply for a loan amount in fiat or Bitcoin — and you use multiple altcoins as collateral.

The initial application process works as follows:

• Make a request using your crypto assets as collateral
• Instantly receive an agreed loan amount in fiat (USD, EURO, and Stablecoins, Bitcoin)
• Once you pay back the loan, you will immediately get the collateral back, regardless of whether its value has increased.

As you can see from the above, the process is as seamless as it could be. The company does not perform any credit score checks or take time to consider whether you are eligible for a loan. On the contrary, if you have sufficient collateral and a verified account, you are good to go.

Loan Terms and Amounts

YouHodler has different packages for loans that come with predefined terms.

There are three options for loan durations:

• 30 days — 90% LTV
• 60 days — 70% LTV
• 180 days — 50% LTV

Your interest rate is not determined by the amount of collateral that you put up. Instead, it depends on the type of plan you choose.

YouHodler offers the same interest rate for all its users. As the community grows, the provider hopes that its interest rates will also drop accordingly. YouHodler also has an affiliate program to encourage its users to invite others to join the platform to help accelerate this goal.

Exit Strategies

Apart from repaying the loan, YouHodler has three other options for its users.

Close Loan Without Repaying

YouHodler gives its users an option to close any loans without repaying it completely. In such cases, any outstanding loan will be paid instantly using your collateral, and you will receive the remaining cryptocurrency.

Extend Loan Duration and PDL

When your loan term is close to maturity, you also have the option to reopen your account to hold the cryptocurrency further with the same terms. You also have the opportunity to extend the ‘Price Down Limit’ by adding additional collateral.

Walk Away

With a top-rate LTV of 90%, users can receive the loan and walk away with 85% of the value. There are no consequences and no need to repay.

Registered users can use this platform to exchange crypto for instant cash freely. YouHodler has succeeded in creating transparency and fairness through this particular feature.

Cryptocurrency Price Variations

Every crypto-backed loan has to take into account the variations in prices that could change at the drop of a hat. As investors are well aware, the value of cryptocurrencies can change at a rapid pace — with double-digit movements still not overly uncommon.

Here’s what you need to know:

If the Price of the Cryptocurrency Goes Down

In this regard, YouHodler has set up specific conditions to guarantee that the loan amount will not be altered. Each loan plan comes with a “Price Down Limit”. As per YouHolder itself, if the price of your collateral drops below the PDL, the provider reserves the right to sell the collateral and close the loan.

Users will be notified by email if the price of your collateral drops over 2/3 of the PDL. This will not incur any extra fees from your side.

If the Price of Cryptocurrency Goes Up

On the other hand, the “Take Profit” feature is applicable to cases where the crypto-collateral grows in value. You can set the Take Profit point, and when the price reaches that level, YouHodler will sell the collateral to repay the loan and deposit the remaining profit from the selling operation to your wallet.

Users can “Set Close Price” when you are requesting the loan.

Earn Interest on Crypto with savings account

YouHodler gives its users another opportunity to treat their crypto assets with the same flexibility and benefits of other fiat money. Users can deposit crypto and earn interest on the coins by transferring them to a savings account. Currently, YouHodler accepts 15 cryptocurrencies for savings.

If you don’t have the listed crypto, then you can convert the ones you have or even convert fiat currency. You can earn annualized returns of up to 12% interest when doing this — and you will receive the interest payments weekly, deposited directly to your YouHodler account.

However, before investing, you need to be aware of the following points.

• Releasing funds before the end of the weekly period will make you lose the interest earned during the specific week.
• If you deposit additional crypto within the weekly period, you will receive the interest of this deposit only in the following week.
• You will receive the weekly interest deposited into your savings account. You can keep the funds there to accumulate more profit or withdraw to your wallet.

How to Open a YouHodler savings account

Earning interest on your crypto holdings can be achieved in four simple steps:

• Go to your “Wallets” page on YouHodler
• Choose to “Add Funds” on the wallet of your crypto wallet
• Follow the deposit instructions
• Grow your savings at up to 12% per annum

You can withdraw your crypto assets at any time without having to wait for the completion of a set term.

Turbocharger

Turbocharge offers users an opportunity to create a “chain of loans” to invest their assets. You will set an initial amount of pre-defined collateral and set the number of loans.

When you click on the “Turbocharge” button, YouHodler will automatically use the collateral for a new loan and use that amount/ crypto as collateral for the new loan. The process continues in a loop until the number of cycles set by the user is completed.

YouHodler charges no additional fee for loans after the first one has been processed. Moreover, the interest rate on each loan is also reduced. The minimum amount required for the first loan is 100 USD or 0.01 BTC.

Multi HODL

‘Multi HODL’ is a relatively new addition to the YouHodler product range. It combines an investment strategy with the Turbocharger concept to make the most of your assets.

This tool allows users to multiply your crypto funds using your wallet balance or a YouHodler savings account. According to YouHodler, this feature has a profit potential of up to 290%.

Members can use up to 12 cryptocurrencies for this feature and adjust their risk level as well. By setting the PDL for these investments, your risk is limited, as you will not lose more than what you set.

When a user opts for Multi HODL, the platform automatically takes a certain percentage of your funding source and reinvests it. YouHodler will use this amount as collateral for a “chain of loan”, which works as follows:

• The platform will use the share of your assets to open the initial loan.
• The borrowed funds from this loan will be used as collateral for a second loan.
• The process repeats itself between 5–20 times, depending on the profit/loss level set by the user.

There are two more choices for you to decide how your collateral should be invested further.

• The UP option will use the cryptocurrency as collateral with USD as the borrowed money. This works best if you expect the value of crypto to grow, which will yield you profit.
• The DOWN option will use USD as collateral to borrow crypto assets. In this case, you are hoping for a drop in crypto value to profit.

Multi HODL allows users to keep 80% of their assets safe while utilizing the remaining 20% to engage in riskier endeavours.

Taxes on YouHodler Investments

As the company operators in several jurisdictions, every user must be aware of their tax obligations. It is your responsibility to understand which segment of your earnings are subject to taxation. If you are not entirely sure of such obligations, it is advised to consult a qualified tax advisor.

YouHodler: A Comparison of its Merits and Downsides

In a nutshell, YouHodler appears that it has got most bases covered for the average crypto investor. The company has excellent tools in its arsenal, whether you want to HODL or take risks with your assets.

The platform offers plenty of advantages for its users, opening up opportunities for both new investors and experienced traders.

This includes:

• Flexible investment options
• Earning potential of up to 12% on savings account
• Choice of loan funds in stablecoins, Bitcoin, or fiat
• Minimum loan amount of $100
• High Loan-to-Value Ratio up to 90%
• Unique features such as TurboCharge and Multi HODL
• Around the clock customer service with 24/7 access through live chat or email.

With that being said — you also need to consider the following:

• YouHodler is not a financial institution
• Some loan terms come with slightly high-interest rates
• It is not available for citizens from the USA

Is YouHodler a Safe Platform?

YouHodler stands on firm legal grounds. The company complies with EU laws and has an extensive set of legal obligations to comply with. Each and every loan taken from the platform constitutes a legal binding contract valid under the EU laws.

The vast bulk of client funds are also stored in cold wallet storage, meaning it remains offline and away from servers. YouHodler also notes that it is an “active member of the Blockchain Association of Financial Commission and the Crypto Valley Association”.

Customers are further protected by the Independent Financial Commission’s efficient dispute resolution process. This ensures that if you have any disputes with the company, you can submit a complaint to the Commission.

However, YouHodler is still a relatively new start-up in the crypto sphere, launched only in 2019. At the time of writing, the company does not have a crypto-specific insurance provider, though the team assures its users that this is something it is working on.

With that said, the platform does have insurance reserves of $1 million, albeit — this is minute in comparison to fellow competitor Blockfi — which has insurance of $100 million.

The Verdict?

From an investor’s point of view, crypto loans are considered a strategic tool for hedging and leveraging their assets. As such, crypto lending platforms are no longer a rare service.

YouHodler appears to be a legitimate platform in this respect — with features attractive to crypto holders of all shapes and sizes. With that said, the provider is potentially best suited for those with large amounts of ‘idle’ crypto being stored in a private wallet — not least because you stand the chance of earning income in the form of interest.

It might not be the best solution for those who are looking for long-term loans, as its interest rates are somewhat high. At the other end of the spectrum, if you are looking for a short-term solution to cash flow requirements — YouHodler might be the answer.