Arch Lending vs. Milo: Crypto Loan or Crypto Mortgage?

If you hold crypto and want a home, you have probably run into Arch Lending in a search for "arch lending vs milo." The comparison makes sense on the surface: both let you put crypto to work without selling it. But they solve different problems. Arch Lending is a crypto-backed cash loan. Milo is a crypto mortgage built to help you buy a home. This guide explains the difference so you can pick the right tool before you make an offer.

The short answer

Arch Lending gives you a loan against your crypto. What you do with the cash is up to you. Milo helps you qualify for and finance a home purchase, using your crypto assets as part of the picture. If your goal is to buy a house, one is a general-purpose loan and the other is a mortgage.

What Arch Lending offers

Arch Lending is a newer crypto-backed lending platform. Publicly listed rates run from roughly 7.25% to 10.49% APR, with collateral held in custody through Anchorage. Arch describes its model as no rehypothecation, meaning your collateral is not lent out to others. It does not offer a mortgage product, so using it for a home purchase means borrowing cash and then making a separate financing decision. Check Arch's own site for current terms, since rates and eligibility change.

What Milo offers

Milo's crypto mortgage is built for individual homebuyers. A few things set it apart:

• Qualification with crypto. Milo helps you qualify using your crypto assets, rather than relying only on traditional criteria like W-2s and tax returns.
• Optional collateral. Posting crypto as collateral is an option, not a requirement.
• Up to 100% financing. Buyers who post crypto as collateral can finance up to 100% of the purchase price.
• No capital gains from selling. Because you pledge your crypto instead of selling it, you do not trigger capital gains taxes, and you keep exposure to future appreciation.
• A two-loan structure. Milo uses two loans, and margin calls apply if posted collateral falls below required levels. How much price buffer you have depends on how much collateral you post. More collateral means more room before a notice is triggered.

You can read the full breakdown on our crypto-backed mortgage page or in Understanding Milo's Crypto Mortgage.

Arch Lending vs. Milo at a glance

Why a cash loan is not the same as a mortgage

A crypto-backed cash loan hands you funds. To buy a house with it, you still need to arrange the rest: a conventional mortgage, proof of funds, and a plan for how the two debts fit together. A mortgage is designed for the purchase itself, with a structure, timeline, and underwriting made for closing on a home.

That distinction matters most when timing is tight. Home purchases run on deadlines, and every extra step between "I have crypto" and "I have a signed closing" is a place for a deal to slip.

Which should you choose?

Arch Lending may fit if you want cash for a general purpose, you are comfortable managing a loan against your crypto, and you are not tied to a home purchase timeline.

Milo fits if your goal is to buy a home and you want to use your crypto to get there without selling it.

Some borrowers will use both products for different needs. The point is to match the tool to the job.

Frequently asked questions

Does Arch Lending offer a mortgage? Based on its public product information, no. Arch offers crypto-backed loans, not home mortgages.

Can I buy a house with a crypto-backed loan? You can use loan proceeds toward a purchase, but you would typically still need separate mortgage financing. A crypto mortgage like Milo's is designed to handle the purchase directly.

Do I have to sell my crypto to buy a home with Milo? No. You can pledge crypto as collateral instead of selling it, which avoids triggering capital gains taxes and keeps your upside.

Can my collateral be liquidated? Yes. Milo has margin calls, and collateral can be liquidated if its value falls below required levels. Posting more collateral gives you a larger price buffer.

How do I get started? Visit our crypto mortgage page to see how qualification works and start an application.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Rates and terms for third-party products change; confirm details directly with each provider.

The opinions expressed in the Blog are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.