Shakepay has launched Bitcoin-backed loans for its 1.5 million Canadian users, offering amounts from $100 to $50,000 CAD with a fixed annual APR of 9.5%. The service, approved by Quebec's Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), ensures a regulated framework. The platform secures 95% of collateral in cold wallets via third-party custodians like Coinbase. This new financial product allows Canadians to access fiat capital using their BTC holdings as collateral, with a Loan-to-Value (LTV) monitored in real-time. Margin calls are triggered at 80%, providing liquidity without selling assets and avoiding tax events. CEO Jean Amiouny noted this was a highly requested feature. The loans, available in CAD or USD, have terms from three months to three years, with no origination fees or prepayment penalties. Shakepay's rollout will be gradual, requiring users to complete KYC and reside in Canada. The company emphasizes transparency by presenting audited financial statements to Quebec regulators, reinforcing trust in integrating cryptocurrencies with traditional banking standards.