Bitcoin2026-10-08 13:46:59SALT CEO Shawn Owen says Bitcoin’s first institutional cycle has arrived as banks step inBitcoin Magazine has published an interview with SALT Lending CEO Shawn Owen centered on a shift he describes as Bitcoin’s first institutional cycle. In the conversation, Owen says banks and credit unions are moving quickly to adopt Bitcoin and that institutional FOMO is now tangible. He argues that Bitcoin is increasingly being treated as pristine collateral and says the barriers that once kept banks and registered investment advisors on the sidelines have come down. The interview, hosted by Grace Remington and Sean Hagan, also covers loan-to-value dynamics, volatility compression, and the direction of Bitcoin-backed lending. Other topics listed in the program chapters include the case for Bitcoin versus real estate among younger generations, the buildout of a secondary market for Bitcoin-backed loans, regulation, the Clarity Act, stablecoins, and how Bitcoin ETFs have changed SALT’s borrower base. The discussion closes with the idea of borrowing against Bitcoin instead of selling it. Bitcoin Magazine also attached a disclaimer stating that the views expressed are those of the participants, not necessarily those of BTC Inc., Bitcoin Magazine, or affiliated entities, and that the material is for informational and educational purposes only.10
Bitcoin2026-10-08 13:49:39SALT CEO Says Bitcoin’s Liquidity Edge Could Stand Out More as Institutions EnterBitcoin Magazine said SALT Lending CEO and co-founder Shawn Owen argued on BMTV that Bitcoin’s basic properties could become more important as banks, institutions and even sovereign players move closer to the market. Owen said Bitcoin is easier to buy than gold and easier to move in situations where mobility matters, while also being more portable, divisible and usable than real estate. The article framed those traits as a liquidity advantage over traditional stores of value such as gold and property, which are constrained by storage, transport or location. The report also focused on Bitcoin-backed borrowing. Instead of selling BTC to raise dollars, holders may be able to post it as collateral and borrow against it while keeping exposure to the underlying asset. Owen said banks were slow to enter but are now coming in after key boxes have been checked, adding that FOMO is real. He also said Bitcoin adoption and price gains are unlikely to be linear, though he expects volatility to keep easing as the market matures and more capital arrives. The piece further disclosed that SALT Lending is a paid sponsor of BMTV and that the article is sponsored content written by Josh Plischke.10
