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Norwegian digital asset brokerage K33 has launched a bitcoin-collateralized lending service that allows institutional clients to borrow USDC against their crypto holdings without selling, marking one of the first regulated offerings of its kind in the Nordic region.
The Nasdaq-listed firm will deploy its own bitcoin treasury to back the loans, combining client liquidity needs with yield generation in a measured rollout following the collapse of centralized crypto lenders during the last bear market.
In its second paragraph, crypto backed loans take center stage again as K33 confirms the product is tightly integrated into its broader Bitcoin treasury strategy.
Listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market, K33 operates as a digital asset brokerage and infrastructure provider focused on institutional and high-net-worth clients.
According to the company, the lending service allows K33 to deploy balance-sheet Bitcoin in a yield-generating manner while simultaneously addressing client liquidity needs.
“Crypto backed loans give clients access to liquidity without having to sell assets they believe in for the long term,” said Torbjørn Bull Jenssen, CEO of K33.
This dual-purpose approach—client utility paired with internal revenue generation—positions K33 as an early Nordic mover combining brokerage services with treasury-backed products.
While crypto-backed loans are gaining renewed interest globally, K33 is taking a measured approach.
The rollout begins on a limited basis, with only a select group of clients initially onboarded. Broader access will depend on demand, eligibility checks, and individual loan agreements.
Interested clients can submit an expression of interest, with loan terms assessed case by case. This cautious expansion reflects the regulatory environment in the Nordics, where financial authorities have historically scrutinized crypto lending models.
By positioning itself as a regulated, brokerage-backed provider, K33 aims to differentiate its crypto-backed loans offering from the unregulated lenders that collapsed during the previous market cycle.
The renewed push into crypto backed loans comes as on-chain and hybrid lending models regain credibility following the implosion of centralized crypto lenders during the last bear market.
Investors burned by opaque risk management are now prioritizing transparency, collateralization, and regulatory alignment.
K33’s structure—combining brokerage infrastructure with balance-sheet backing—targets precisely that demand.
The firm says the loans are designed to increase client engagement, expand its product suite, and strengthen its position as a full-service digital asset firm.
The rebound in crypto-backed loans is not limited to centralized players. Last week, World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project linked to the family of U.S.
President Donald Trump, launched its own lending and borrowing platform as its USD1 stablecoin surpassed $3.5 billion in circulating supply.
The platform, World Liberty Markets, allows users to lend and borrow digital assets through a single on-chain marketplace centered on USD1 and the project’s governance token, WLFI.
Supported collateral includes Ether, tokenized Bitcoin, USDC, and USDT, with infrastructure powered by Dolomite.
The parallel launches underscore how crypto backed loans are returning across both centralized and decentralized markets—this time with stronger emphasis on collateral discipline and transparency.
For K33, crypto backed loans represent a strategic evolution rather than a speculative bet.
By deploying its Bitcoin treasury in a controlled lending framework, the company aligns itself with investor demand for liquidity without forced asset liquidation.
As market volatility persists and regulatory clarity slowly improves, crypto backed loans may emerge as a core financial primitive for digital asset firms seeking sustainable growth—especially in regions previously underserved by such products.
