Bitcoin Strategy Playbook
An overview of practical strategies we personally use to accumulate, protect, and use Bitcoin, along with the tools that make them possible.
This section outlines many of the core strategies we personally use to accumulate, protect, and deploy Bitcoin across a variety of financial use cases. These are not financial or investment recommendations, nor do we claim they are the only or best approaches. Rather, they reflect some of the most common strategies utilized within the Bitcoin Financial Services space, and many of the methods we’ve adopted ourselves to stack sats, invest, borrow, spend, and partake in this exciting ecosystem.
Visit our Tools & Services Page to learn more, or book a 30 minute coaching call for a deeper dive into your specific questions and goals.
1. Buying Bitcoin (Simple)
There are many ways to buy, sell, and manage Bitcoin, but these are our favorites based on their brand strength, leadership, ease of use, and mobile friendly UX.
Preferred Onramps:
- River – High security, U.S.-based, Bitcoin-only.
- Strike – Low fees, direct BTC purchasing with bank-linked funding.
- Fold – Offers debit card and bank account, earn BTC rewards on spend.
2. Buying & Managing Bitcoin (Cold Storage)
Day to day transactions are easily managed with hot wallets, but for those looking to accumulate BTC in a more long-term HODL based strategy which comes with the strongest levels of security, guidance, and planning, there are a couple marquee options we love.
Cold Storage Solutions:
- Unchained Capital Multisig vaults
- Work with The Bitcoin Adviser for:
- No prior knowledge required
- Dedicated Adviser
- Strategic planning
- Vault setup
- Estate Planning
- SAT stacking strategies
3. Dollar Cost Average (DCA)
We prefer River for DCA due to the ease of setting up recurring buys and the benefits they offer on cash deposits and limit orders.
- River – High security, U.S. based, Bitcoin-only. 0% fees on recurring purchases, earn 3.8% APY on dollar balances (idle or limit orders).
4. Borrowing Against Bitcoin
There are two different approaches here, each of which contains its own unique set of benefits, risks, and tools required. Some prefer L1 BTC only, meaning DeFi is not an option. Others prefer flexibility and are willing to accept more counterparty involvement to achieve their goals, therefore look at DeFi as a great solution. NFA, do your own research.
Centralized Finance (CeFi) Lending
- Platforms: SALT Lending, Arch, Strike
- Strategy:
- Deposit Bitcoin as collateral
- Borrow fiat or stablecoins for fixed term
- Refinance or top up collateral as needed
- Pay off early or at maturity
- Use platform tools to monitor LTV, manage risk, and receive alerts
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Lending
- Strategy
- Convert BTC to Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) or Coinbase Bitcoin (cbBTC)
- Send to a MetaMask Wallet
- Connect wallet to AAVE (or another DeFi protocol)
- Supply wBTC/cbBTC as collateral to borrow stablecoins
- Secured in a Smart Contract
- Monitor health factor and repay or adjust as needed
5. Earning Bitcoin Rewards
We love Fold for earning BTC rewards on everyday purchases.
- Fold App – Earn sats back on debit card purchases, gift cards, and more
- Stack passively while spending normally
6. Bitcoin in Retirement Accounts
With so many new players in the market, products being launched, and legislation being written in Washington DC, this landscape changes almost weekly. Make sure to conduct your own research, talk to your retirement administrators (401K), and consult your legal/tax/financial advisors before making any decision.
Traditional 401(k)
- We use self-directed brokerage option when available (ask your plan administrator)
- Allocate to Bitcoin proxies:
- Stocks:
- BTC Treasury: MSTR, CEP, MPTLF, etc
- BTC Miners: MARA, RIOT, CLSK, etc.
- ETFs: IBIT, FBTC, BITB, etc.
- Stocks:
Standard Rollover IRA
Same exposure as traditional
Opens up Bitcoin IRA or Unchained IRA for direct BTC ownership
Self-Directed IRA LLC (SDIRA LLC)
- Establish SDIRA LLC to enable on-chain, self-custodied BTC purchases
- Same exposure as Rollover IRA (Traditional or Bitcoin IRA)
- BTC purchased and held via:
- Standard Rollover IRA options
- Self-Custody held under the IRA entity (not personal)
7. Converting Home Equity to Bitcoin
With nearly $37T in latent equity trapped in homeowner’s residences, the desire to convert some of that equity into Bitcoin has never been greater. While not obvious, the process is rather simple;
- Must meet eligibility criteria (not available in all jurisdictions)
- Obtain a loan for some of the existing home equity
- 2nd Lien placed on home for loan duration
- Purchase Bitcoin directly, using your preferred exchange
- Manage purchased Bitcoin in your own self-custody
- No monthly payments required
- Repay the loan at the desired timeframe
- Lien removed, equity preserved, remaining Bitcoin owned free and clear
8. BTC Treasury for Small & Medium Businesses (SMB)
As Bitcoin treasury strategies gain traction in the headlines, many small and mid-sized businesses are asking the same question: Where do we begin? The truth is there are many ways to structure a Bitcoin treasury. Businesses can mix and match on-ramps, self-custody solutions, and lending providers, each offering unique benefits. To simplify the landscape, we highlight best-in-class providers and practical starting points.
Before taking action:
- Prioritize Security & Governance.
Establish internal controls, key management policies, and sign-off procedures before a single dollar is deployed. - Focus on Education.
Ensure leadership and staff understand Bitcoin fundamentals, risks, and industry best practices. - Engage Carefully.
Once the foundation is set, explore providers and begin executing transactions in line with your policies.
This measured approach empowers SMBs to participate confidently in the Bitcoin economy while aligning with their unique risk tolerance and growth goals.
Simple + Cost Effective
- Streamlined Setup: Fewest moving parts, easy to operate.
- Cost Efficient: Low trading fees and 0% on recurring buys (DCA) with River.
- Business Friendly: White-glove onboarding, business account support, and strong compliance record.
- Flexible Liquidity: BTC can be quickly moved to or from lenders when needed.
Hybrid
- Balanced Approach: Combines ease of on-ramp (River) with the security of multi-sig custody (TBA or Unchained).
- Institutional-Grade Governance: Strongest mix of security, transparency, and internal controls.
- Cost Effective Long-Term: Low fees for recurring buys, while vaulting assets securely.
- Consideration: More counterparties and moving parts to manage.
Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
We use these tools every day—and we’re happy to help you navigate them too. Reach out anytime for insights, tips, or support!