How Much BTC Do You Need? A Guide to Milo's Crypto Mortgage Loan

If you've been sitting on Bitcoin and wondering how to use it to buy a home without selling, you're in the right place. At Milo, we offer a range of crypto mortgage options designed to give you flexibility — whether you want to maximize your buying power, minimize the Bitcoin you post as collateral, or keep your crypto entirely in self-custody.

This guide breaks down each loan-to-value (LTV) option, how much Bitcoin you'd need to post, and why a Milo crypto mortgage offers something no traditional crypto loan can match: margin call protection that lets Bitcoin drop 65% before you ever get a call.

Understanding Loan-to-Value (LTV) in a Crypto Mortgage

LTV is simply the ratio of your loan amount to the purchase price of the home. A 90% LTV on a $1M home means Milo is financing $900,000. The lower your LTV, the less you're borrowing — and the less Bitcoin you need to post as collateral.

Here's every option we offer, illustrated using a $1,000,000 home purchase.

The Loan Options at a Glance

90% LTV

Loan Amount: $900,000 | Down Payment: $100,000 | Bitcoin Collateral Required: $600,000

A $100,000 down payment brings your collateral requirement down to $600,000 in Bitcoin. This is a great middle-ground for clients who have some liquidity but want to keep the majority of their Bitcoin intact and working for them.

80% LTV

Loan Amount: $800,000 | Down Payment: $200,000 | Bitcoin Collateral Required: $300,000

At 80% LTV, the collateral requirement comes down to $300,000 in Bitcoin. This option appeals to clients who want a more traditional mortgage structure but still want to leverage their Bitcoin rather than liquidate it.

All figures based on a $1,000,000 purchase price.

The Biggest Advantage You're Not Hearing About: Margin Call Protection

Here's where Milo's crypto mortgage fundamentally changes the game compared to a traditional crypto-backed loan.

With a standard crypto loan, a margin call can be triggered the moment Bitcoin dips even modestly — lenders often set margin call thresholds at 30%, 40%, or 50% price drops. That means a normal market correction could force you to either post more collateral immediately or have your Bitcoin liquidated.

With a Milo crypto mortgage, Bitcoin can fall by 65% before you would ever face a margin call.

Let that sink in. Bitcoin has experienced significant drawdowns throughout its history — 50%, even 70% — and yet it has always recovered to new highs. Our structure is built with that volatility in mind. We're not a short-term lender trying to protect themselves at your expense. We're a mortgage lender aligned with a long-term asset.

This margin call protection means:

• Your Bitcoin stays intact while the market recovers
• You sleep at night knowing a bad week in crypto doesn't put your Bitcoin at risk

No other product in the market combines real estate financing with this level of Bitcoin downside protection. It's not just a mortgage — it's a strategy.

Which Option Is Right for You?

The right LTV depends on your goals:

• Maximize buying power with zero cash down? Go with 100% LTV.
• Reduce collateral while keeping a low down payment? 90% or 85% LTV may be your sweet spot.
• Minimize Bitcoin exposure while still leveraging it? 75% LTV offers the lightest collateral requirement.
• Keep your Bitcoin in cold storage and never give up custody? The 70% Self-Custody Mortgage was built for you.

What other assets do you have available for a down payment? This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — questions in the entire decision. If you have cash sitting in a savings account or money market, using it as a down payment is almost always the smarter move. Cash has no tax consequences when you spend it, no opportunity cost tied to future appreciation, and no emotional weight. Put the cash to work in the down payment and let your Bitcoin ride.

But if making a larger down payment means selling Bitcoin to do it, you need to think carefully about what that actually costs you. First, there's the capital gains tax. Depending on how long you've held and what your cost basis is, selling Bitcoin could trigger a significant federal — and potentially state — tax bill, meaning you'd need to sell even more Bitcoin than you planned just to net the down payment amount you need. Second, and more importantly, there's the future appreciation you're giving up. Bitcoin has historically rewarded long-term holders. Every coin you sell today is a coin that won't be in your portfolio when the next cycle plays out. The real cost of that down payment isn't just the dollar amount — it's the compounded future value of the Bitcoin you gave up to make it.

This is exactly why Milo exists. If selling Bitcoin to make a down payment feels painful, that's because it should. The higher LTV options — 90%, 95%, or 100% — are specifically designed for clients in this position. Post Bitcoin as collateral, keep it in your portfolio, skip the tax event, and let it continue to appreciate while you own the home.

Whatever your situation, Milo has a structure to match. Our team works with you to find the right fit based on your Bitcoin holdings, liquidity, and long-term goals.

Ready to Get Started?

Apply in minutes at milo.io or schedule a call with one of our mortgage specialists. We'll walk you through every option and help you build a plan that keeps your Bitcoin working — without ever having to sell.

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.