109 - Bitcoin as Collateral: Zaria CEO Emily Barron on Lending Rails

Emily Barron, CEO and co-founder of Zaria, on why Bitcoin is becoming institutional collateral — and why servicing, not origination, is the bottleneck.

Zaria builds the operational backbone for digital asset-backed loans: 24/7 collateral monitoring, primary and backup servicing, agency functions, and advisory. Emily traces the path from capital-markets work to Bitcoin collateral, the post-2022 reset in digital-asset lending, and Zaria’s bid to become a national trust bank so structured credit can treat BTC like a real fiduciary asset.

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🌴 Join us at Mita TechTalks 2026 — an exclusive gathering for operators, family offices, and industry leaders exploring the future of capital through Bitcoin, AI, and Energy. Oct 25-27, Punta Mita.

Request your invitation: https://2026.mitatechtalks.com/

⚡ Get personalized onboarding at River for Bitcoin-only financial services: https://partner.river.com/buildwithbitcoin⏤ ⏤ ⏤

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emily Barron and Zaria

03:54 The founding story of Zaria and its core mission

09:05 Why Bitcoin is a unique collateral asset

11:59 Recent market developments and institutional involvement

18:07 Zaria's product offerings and market strategy

24:07 Lessons from market crises and the resilience of Bitcoin-backed loans

30:04 Regulatory landscape and future opportunities

35:47 Building a trust bank for digital assets

41:46 Funding, growth, and competitive landscape

50:02 Risks, challenges, and the future of digital asset finance

Resources

https://zaria.xyz/

Build With Bitcoin:

https://www.buildwithbitcoin.xyz/https://x.com/BuildwBitcoin

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❗ DISCLAIMER: This show is for entertainment purposes only. Before making any decisions consult a professional.