Bitcoin as Collateral for Real-World Opportunities: Lever’s CEO Vision

Analysis of Clear Crypto Podcast Episode

What if Bitcoin served a purpose beyond speculation, allowing users to purchase a home, fund education, or invest in a business without selling the asset? Lever founder Julian Duran argues Bitcoin can unlock real-world opportunity when used as collateral.

The Power of Bitcoin

Duran, previously of Bridgewater Associates and Marathon Digital, frames Lever’s mission around Bitcoin’s potential to overcome illiquidity for asset holders. “The whole idea with Lever is, how can you use your Bitcoin to have a footprint in something that’s unrelated to crypto,” Duran stated.

He positions Lever to transform Bitcoin into usable “pristine collateral,” enabling participation in historically underserved industries and communities. “That way you’re building equity, you’re earning cash flow, you’re not selling your Bitcoin,” the CEO explained.

“To the extent that you can use your Bitcoin to acquire fiat without selling it, it allows you to buy better houses, send your kids to better schools, travel… be free, in the way that the currency was intended to enable freedom.”

Duran emphasized the diversification benefits: “There’s a run on Bitcoin? You’re protected. There’s a run on real-world industries? You’re protected.”

Real-World Use Cases

Lever targets traditional, non-crypto “boring industries” like utilities and housing, seeking dollar-denominated returns uncorrelated with crypto market fluctuations. This approach differs from speculative DeFi protocols or meme tokens.

The vision connects to Bitcoin’s foundational promise. Duran recounted an anecdote: “An OG looked at this mansion and said, ‘I could afford this, but I’d have to sell Bitcoin’”— a scenario he aims to eliminate.

Duran labeled Lever’s approach “Firepower,” emphasizing freedom: “It allows you to buy better houses, send your kids to better schools, travel.” The platform essentially facilitates targeted fractional leverage using Bitcoin.