Key Takeaways:
- Cantor Fitzgerald has launched its crypto lending arm, issuing Bitcoin-backed loans to FalconX and Maple Finance.
- The firm’s $2B initiative enables institutions to access liquidity without liquidating BTC, with Anchorage and Copper as custodians.
- Despite past collapses in crypto lending, onchain borrowing rebounded 959% over two years, signaling renewed institutional interest.
Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald has officially launched its cryptocurrency lending arm, marking its entry with Bitcoin-backed loans to FalconX and Maple Finance.
FalconX secured over $100 million in credit under a broader financing framework, while Maple Finance finalized the first tranche of its deal.
Cantor Fitzgerald officially kicked off a $2 billion Bitcoin-backed lending program with financing deals for FalconX and Maple Finance https://t.co/qU9yZtlmnl
— Bloomberg (@business) May 27, 2025
The loans allow firms to access liquidity without selling their Bitcoin, using BTC as collateral.
Cantor’s crypto lending initiative was first announced in July 2024 with a $2 billion capital base, targeting institutional investors.
Anchorage Digital and Copper were appointed as custodians for the operation.
Despite a decline from its 2021 peak, the crypto lending market remains active, with Q4 2024 data showing $36.5 billion in total value and $19.1 billion in outstanding onchain loans — a 959% increase in two years.
The sector has faced setbacks, including the collapses of Celsius and BlockFi following the FTX crisis.
Cantor’s entry into the space is seen as a sign of renewed institutional confidence.
Founded in 1945, Cantor is a major financial institution with global reach.
CEO Howard Lutnick supports Bitcoin’s classification as a commodity and has ties to Donald Trump’s 2024 transition team.
Cantor also manages part of the reserves backing the Tether stablecoin and holds a 5% stake in Tether.