Crypto-Backed Loan Provider SALT Expands to 35 US States

Cryptocurrency-backed loan provider SALT Lending announced it has expanded into 20 new U.S. states on Wednesday.

The firm, which allows users to borrow cash against their cryptocurrency holdings, is now available in 35 states, including Washington D.C.

Also revealed today is a new tech platform for SALT clients, which the firm says includes updated tools for borrowing funds and faster transactions, as well as a new member loyalty program.

The firm's chief executive, Bill Sinclair, who took up his post last month, told CoinDesk that the process of expanding to new states is complicated, and that the company's legal team has been working with regulatory experts to ensure that the loans it provides fall within each state's individual laws.

"SALT loans are and will be structured within the laws, regulations, and guidelines provided by each jurisdiction in which the loan is offered," he said.

As such, the platform is newly available to residents of Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Texas, Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin and Maine, among others.

The company is currently moving its current users to the new platform, Sinclair said, adding that, for the rebuild, "we started with some key community leaders and worked their feedback into the nuances of our technology."

"The first borrowers to get loans in the new system were those who previously applied in areas in which we were not approved to lend and were still interested in a SALT loan," he said.

To further attract new members and retain existing clients, the startup today also unveiled a new member loyalty program. Called Proof of Access, the scheme lets customers modify their loan conditions using the firm's own token (also called SALT), according to Sinclair

New clients become members by depositing at least one SALT token onto the company's platform, and can then stake their tokens to adjust their loan interest rates.

Sinclair said the firm plans to continue developing its platform, and in the future plans to introduce micro-loans and qualified custody products, alongside international expansion.

SALT will also be looking at adding new blockchain tokens to be used as collateral, he said, explaining:

"As blockchain assets continue to grow in abundance and popularity, technology will need to pivot accordingly. ... Opening doors for our potential borrowers who may have selected different investments than bitcoin and ethereum will be a key differentiator for SALT in the future."

Salt mounds image via Shutterstock