Bitcoin’s ability to be moved, divided and used as collateral could give it an advantage over traditional stores of value as banks and other institutions enter the market, according to SALT Lending chief executive and co-founder Shawn Owen.
Speaking on BMTV, Owen highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience while gold and other long-duration assets were selling off. He argued that some of the cryptocurrency’s basic design features—notably its portability, divisibility and accessibility—could make it more practical than physical or location-bound assets in situations where holders need to move or access their wealth.
“It is easier to buy Bitcoin than gold,” Owen said. He added that Bitcoin could also be easier to move during periods of unrest, while describing it as more portable, divisible and usable than real estate.
Why portability and liquidity matter
Gold, property and Bitcoin can all be viewed as potential long-term stores of value, but they provide access to that value in very different ways.
Physical gold has to be stored and transported. Real estate is tied to a particular location and transactions can take time. Bitcoin, by contrast, can be transferred across borders and divided into small units without the same physical constraints. Those features may matter to investors and institutions that place a premium on speed and flexibility.
Bitcoin’s potential role as collateral adds another part of the liquidity argument. Instead of selling the asset to obtain dollars, a holder may be able to borrow against its value while retaining exposure to the underlying Bitcoin. In general terms, a collateral-backed loan allows an owner to access cash without immediately disposing of the asset pledged to the lender.
SALT Lending offers this type of arrangement to eligible borrowers, allowing them to use Bitcoin as collateral for cash. The company says the collateral is returned once the loan is repaid. Borrowing against an asset can involve risks and eligibility requirements, and the source material does not present the arrangement as suitable for every holder.
For Owen, the lending model is connected to a wider question: how people and institutions may use Bitcoin after acquiring it. If holders expect the asset to appreciate over a long period, accessing liquidity without selling could become more important than simply finding a way to buy it.
Owen sees institutional adoption building
Owen said the sense of regret that some individual Bitcoin holders feel after learning about the asset and wishing they had bought earlier could eventually appear among larger participants. He specifically referred to banks, institutions of different sizes and sovereigns.
Banks have taken longer to enter the Bitcoin market, he said, but believes many of the obstacles that previously held them back are now being addressed. In his view, institutional fear of missing out is becoming a meaningful force.
That does not mean Owen expects adoption or prices to move in a straight line. He said Bitcoin’s volatility could continue to moderate as the market matures and more capital enters it. A reduction in volatility, however, would not change his expectation of significant adoption over the next decade or his longer-term view that Bitcoin could rise substantially relative to fiat currencies.
Owen’s comments reflect the distinction between market maturity and guaranteed returns. Greater participation could broaden Bitcoin’s ownership base and potentially change its trading behaviour, but neither the interview material nor the company’s promotional content establishes a particular future price or adoption outcome.
The “never sell” argument
Owen said he has long advised holders never to sell their Bitcoin. His reasoning is that selling to cover a major purchase, a business expense or another cash need removes future exposure to the amount sold.
Bitcoin-backed lending is presented as a possible alternative for holders who want to keep their position while accessing cash. Under that model, Bitcoin is pledged to a lender, funds are provided under the loan arrangement, and the collateral can be returned after repayment. The structure means the borrower does not have to sell the Bitcoin at the outset, although borrowing against a volatile asset can carry financial risks.
This approach could become more relevant, Owen suggested, if Bitcoin becomes easier for banks and other institutions to access and use. The focus of the market conversation may then expand from acquisition to wealth management: how holders can draw on the value of their Bitcoin without necessarily disposing of it.
The interview was published by Bitcoin Magazine. SALT Lending is BMTV’s Official Liquidity Sponsor and a paid sponsor of the programme; the source material states that the content is promotional and does not necessarily represent Bitcoin Magazine’s views. It also says the material is not financial advice.
Current Bitcoin market picture
Moneyiar data at 21:59 on October 8, 2026, showed Bitcoin at $81,627.076006201. The cryptocurrency was down 1.81% over 24 hours and 3.44% over seven days.
Other assets tracked by Moneyiar at the same time were:
- Lighter (LIT): $3.6193726989, up 1.06% in 24 hours and down 4.25% over seven days.
- Plasma (XPL): $0.0840481013, down 3.07% in 24 hours and 11.41% over seven days.
- Tagger (TAG): $0.0006426421, down 10.12% in 24 hours and 24.23% over seven days.
