For early adopters and long-term holders, crypto wealth is no longer just about speculation; it’s about usability. You’ve held Bitcoin through market cycles, perhaps accumulated a solid position, and now you’re asking, How can I access that value without selling my crypto and giving up its future upside?
That question defines a new era of financial behavior, and platforms like Xapo Bank and Xapo VASP are building the off-ramp to make it possible. Today, modern crypto holders want to spend, earn, borrow, and plan without liquidating. The traditional “sell → convert → transfer → spend” route feels outdated, expensive, and limiting.
This article explains how you can live on your crypto without selling it, using tools like custody, yield, debit cards, and collateralized borrowing, all within Xapo’s unified ecosystem.
Why Traditional Off-Ramps No Longer Work
For most crypto users, converting digital assets into fiat is a messy process. You typically need to:
- Sell your crypto on an exchange
- Trigger a taxable event
- Transfer to a traditional bank
- Pay fees and lose market exposure
- Wait for processing and conversion delays
This path is clunky, slow, and inefficient. And most importantly, it ends your crypto position just to access everyday cash. That’s where a modern off-ramp comes in: a method to spend, borrow, and grow without abandoning your digital assets.
Meet the Unified Off-Ramp: One Platform, All Needs
Xapo offers a combined experience of a regulated bank (Xapo Bank) for your fiat needs and a regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (Xapo VASP) for your Bitcoin services. Together, they enable a seamless bridge between holding and using crypto without unnecessary liquidation.
This gives you:
- Secure custody for Bitcoin
- Passive yield in BTC
- USD accounts with global debit card access
- Bitcoin-backed loans for large expenses
- A single app to manage it all
Here’s how it works in real life.
Step 1: Make Bitcoin Your “Home Base” with Secure Custody
Instead of holding Bitcoin on volatile exchanges, users can store assets safely through Xapo VASP. Xapo VASP offers institutional-grade security, helping you protect your holdings without giving up control or access. All crypto services are provided under regulation by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission.
Custody with Xapo means:
- Multi-Party Computation (MPC) protection
- Cold storage with military-grade infrastructure
- Direct integration with Xapo Bank for seamless fund movement
This is your base: your Bitcoin is stored securely, not sold, and always ready to support your financial activity.
Step 2: Earn Passive Yield in BTC
Simply holding Bitcoin isn’t the only option. With Xapo VASP, you can earn yield on your BTC (3.5% APY) and USD (0.50%) balance, with interest paid directly in satoshis. This helps grow your holdings over time, even during market pauses.
Highlights include:
- Bitcoin-denominated interest, not fiat
- Compounding returns with no currency conversion
- BTC Credit Fund for higher-yield opportunities
These yield options allow holders to earn while staying long, a way to make Bitcoin work for you without increasing exposure to riskier trading platforms.
Please note: Bitcoin holdings are not covered by the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Only fiat deposits at Xapo Bank are protected under this scheme, up to €100,000.
Step 3: Spend Globally with a BTC-Rewarded Debit Card
Xapo Bank issues a global debit card linked to your USD account, which can be topped up easily via your crypto balance. This lets you spend in-store or online, anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted, all without needing to manually sell crypto beforehand.
Key features:
- Use fiat converted from BTC instantly
- Earn up to 1% cashback in Bitcoin on every purchase
- No foreign exchange fees
- ATM access worldwide
- Control your spending directly from the Xapo Bank app
Instead of cashing out or wiring funds to a third-party account, your crypto can directly support your lifestyle with the bonus of Bitcoin rewards on every transaction.
Step 4: Borrow Against Your BTC for Large Expenses
What if you need liquidity for a major purchase, a car, a property down payment, or an investment? Instead of selling, you can borrow against your Bitcoin through Xapo Credit.
The platform offers collateralized Bitcoin loans, allowing you to unlock fiat liquidity (USD or stablecoins) while keeping your BTC position intact.
How it works:
- Deposit Bitcoin as collateral
- Borrow up to a percentage of BTC value (e.g., 40%)
- Receive fiat into your Xapo Bank account
- Repay with interest; regain full access to BTC
This approach means no taxable sale, continued market exposure, and the ability to use capital without compromise.
Step 5: Manage Everything From One App
The biggest benefit of using Xapo’s ecosystem is unification. Rather than juggling a separate exchange, wallet, bank, yield platform, and loan provider, everything is managed from a single app.
You can:
- View your crypto holdings and yields
- Spend with a debit card
- Monitor your fiat balance
- Track loan terms and repayments
- Assign beneficiaries for digital legacy planning
This integrated experience is built for modern crypto users who expect the convenience of a bank with the flexibility of a digital asset platform.
Bonus: Plan Your Legacy with Bitcoin Beneficiaries
Beyond daily usage, Xapo Bank also supports long-term planning with a Bitcoin Beneficiary Solution. This lets members name trusted individuals who can inherit Bitcoin and fiat assets all within the app.
Key benefits:
- No ongoing fees
- Setup in minutes
- Secure access process for heirs
- Avoids complex recovery processes found in many exchanges
As millions of Bitcoins are estimated to be lost forever due to a lack of inheritance planning, this solution provides a critical layer of security for your financial legacy.
Who Should Use a Modern Crypto Off-Ramp?
This approach suits:
- Long-term Bitcoin holders who don’t want to sell
- Frequent travellers or global spenders
- Crypto-native users seeking yield and card rewards
- Investors needing occasional liquidity without selling
- Anyone who wants to simplify their digital + fiat finances
Key Considerations Before You Start
As with any financial solution, there are risks and conditions to consider:
- Crypto market volatility can affect borrowing terms or collateral value
- Bitcoin holdings are not guaranteed or insured under deposit protection schemes
- Borrowing involves interest and repayment obligations
- Jurisdiction and tax rules vary; consult an advisor for your local situation
- Yield products may require lock-in periods or carry risks
Always read product terms carefully and understand your own risk tolerance.
Your Crypto Is Ready to Be Used Without Selling
Crypto has moved from speculation to utility. With platforms like Xapo Bank and Xapo VASP, the mature investor can access their crypto wealth without abandoning it.
Whether you want to:
- Spend globally
- Earn passive income
Borrow for opportunities - Plan for your legacy
…you can now do so with a unified, secure solution built for real life.
This is not just a new feature set; it’s a new financial lifestyle: one where your digital wealth is active, useful, and accessible while staying invested in the future.
This communication is not intended for, and must not be acted upon by persons resident in the United Kingdom.
