A new report from crypto lender Ledn estimates that the consumer bitcoin-backed lending market could grow from its current $3 billion to as much as $1 trillion within the next decade. The research, conducted with consumer insights firm Protocol Theory, surveyed 1,244 cryptocurrency holders across the United States and Australia between February and March 2026.
The survey revealed a significant gap between interest and adoption: 88% of respondents said they would consider a crypto-backed loan or credit product, yet only 14% currently use one. Ledn describes this as a “six-to-one consideration-to-adoption gap.”
Trust remains the primary obstacle. The 2022 collapses of Celsius Network, Voyager Digital and BlockFi have left lasting damage, with non-borrowers citing volatility, liquidation risk and regulatory uncertainty as their top concerns. The report notes that platform reputation, transparent loan terms, custody safeguards and risk management all rank higher than interest rates when choosing a lender.
Ledn co-founder Mauricio Di Bartolomeo said, “What’s still catching up is the trust infrastructure that gives borrowers the confidence to act.” The report does not predict automatic growth but argues that rebuilding trust through transparency and stronger risk controls is essential for the market to close the gap and approach the $1 trillion potential.
