Arch Lending Supports Community Bitcoin Reserve in Chicago

Arch Lending, a U.S.-based digital asset lending platform operated by ChainFi, has pledged to match the existing Bitcoin holdings of the Altgeld Bitcoin Reserve (ABR), a community-owned reserve in Chicago. The company will also support financial literacy and Bitcoin education programs for residents.

Founded in early 2025 by Tolbyus Shephard, a resident of Altgeld Gardens, ABR aims to help the community build and preserve wealth for future generations. On October 14, 2025, the Illinois House recognized it as the nation’s first community-run Bitcoin reserve.

The reserve uses multisignature custody and public proof-of-reserves, allowing anyone to verify its holdings on the Bitcoin network. Its rules prohibit speculative trading, lending, leverage, and private withdrawals. Bitcoin cannot be used as collateral or transferred for personal benefit.

Arch Lending said it is supporting the initiative as a contributor, not a lender. The company will have no ownership rights, repayment claims, investment returns, or control over reserve transactions.

ABR hopes to develop a model that other communities can adopt, with shared standards for custody, transparency, education, and governance. The organization is also open to further contributions from individuals and private companies as it expands its reserve and educational activities.

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