Read this:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=577765.0Specifically, this post by Vod:
What is considered collateral?
Collateral is something that can easily be resold to cover the loan value plus interest should the loaner default on the loan.
- The best collateral is another crypto-currency, such as Ethereum (also written as ETH). Coins must be moderately traded on multiple exchanges.
- Some digital wares such as domain names can be considered as long as the user cannot recover it.
- Small valuable items that can be shipped though the mail - i.e. gold, silver, iphones, etc.
- Large items, such as a motorcycle or guitar can be used if you live close to the person giving you the loan. Try localbitcoins.com
What is not considered collateral?
- Merit. Bitcointalk Merit is not a commodity and is not meant to be traded. Asking or doing so may get you negative trust (Trade with Extreme Caution!)
- Items they want to sell. They don't want it back, so they will default. It's scammy unethical behavior and will lead to negative trust. Check their recent posts!
- Items not in hand. Don't trust a user that promises to give you something *when* they default! Tracking numbers only show something has been mailed - it could be an empty box.
- Future income. You can prove you'll make xx coins in the next few days, but nothing forces you to send those coins to pay your debt.
- Identification. So what if they can prove who they are. Are you going to spend more money and time taking them to court on untested legal grounds? You'll probably just walk away, like everyone does. ID is useless.
- Games codes or similar. To verify the collateral you need to use the code, which destroys the collateral. Consider this a purchase, not a loan. (Post in Digital Goods instead)
- Most new alt-coins or alt-coins that trade for satoshis are not good collateral as they can become worthless overnight.
- Most pre-coins/tokens are worthless, or may take significant time to be worth anything.
- Paypal should never be used - they are anti-bitcoin and will rule against you 100% of the time. Escrow can't even help, as paypal charge backs can come over six months later!
- Most valuable online accounts can easily be recovered by social engineering (the user contacting support to say they were hacked, and regain control of the account) Examples: Steam
-snip-
You were asking for a loan of $200 without giving any collateral. What would have happened if you decide to just run away with the money? The lender would lose everything. By giving him a collateral worth more than the $200, he can recompose his losses if you scam him.
