8lends is a P2P lending platform that allows private investors to support real businesses and earn a fixed income.
Most DeFi platforms we know offer yields from on-chain activity, token swaps, or lending within crypto. However, such a system often depends on speculation. If one crashes, everything might tumble. 8lends aims to change how this works.
8lends mixes the structure of traditional finance with blockchain transparency. It lets people lend stablecoins like USDC to verified real-world businesses that post real assets as collateral. So, your money is doing something tangible instead of floating in a purely digital world.
What Is 8lends in Simple Terms?
8lends is a decentralized crowdlending platform. It connects crypto investors with real-world borrowers.
Let’s say a small company in Kenya needs funds to expand its business. They can apply to 8lends, offer a warehouse or inventory as collateral, and get a loan from crypto investors, like you.
Everything runs through smart contracts, so payments are automatic.
Maclear AG, a Swiss company with experience in traditional crowdfunding, backs the platform itself. That background adds credibility, especially for a DeFi project aiming to handle real assets.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the basics:
| Key Detail | Description |
| Type | Decentralized P2P lending and crowdlending |
| Parent Company | Maclear AG |
| Currency Used | USDC |
| Collateral | Real assets like property or equipment |
| Audits | Certik and Cyberscope |
| Compliance | Follows KYC, AML, and GDPR rules |
How It Works
Think of 8lends as a meeting point between crypto investors and real businesses.
When a company needs funding, it applies through 8lends and goes through a 40-point verification process. That process checks everything: ownership, financial health, and the value of the collateral they are offering.
Once approved, their loan appears on the 8lends marketplace. Investors can scroll through and pick projects they like. You can see details such as the interest rate, loan duration, country, and even the risk rating.
You do not need to be rich to join in either. The minimum investment is only 100 USDC. After you invest, smart contracts handle the rest. Repayments are automatic, so you always know where your money is.
What Makes 8lends Stand Out
Swiss-Backed and Regulation-Friendly
8lends follows strict KYC and AML standards and claims to be fully GDPR-compliant. So while it is a DeFi project, it operates with the seriousness of a regulated financial platform.
Real Collateral
A lot of DeFi lending relies on other crypto as collateral. The problem is, crypto prices can swing hard. 8lends changes that by using real assets, things you can actually touch. Property, trucks, and stock inventory are the kinds of collateral you will find on the platform. It is a more grounded approach.
Two Audits, Extra Trust
| Auditor | Focus |
| Certik | Smart contract and protocol audit |
| Cyberscope | Platform and security review |
Having two separate ongoing audits helps build trust. It shows the team takes security seriously and is not just running with unchecked code.
Experienced Roots
Because it is tied to Maclear AG, 8lends is not starting from zero. The team already understands traditional lending, risk management, and compliance. That foundation gives it an edge over purely crypto-native platforms.
Key 8lends Features
Investment Protection
Every loan on 8lends is backed by something real. On top of that, there is an insurance pool to cover potential defaults.
| Protection | What It Does |
| Real Collateral | Property or assets back every loan |
| Insurance Pool | Helps cover investor losses if a borrower fails |
| Compliance Checks | Ensures businesses are verified and legitimate |
Borrower Screening
Borrowers are not just accepted blindly. They go through a 40-step process that reviews their credit, market position, and financial records. It is thorough, maybe sometimes even more than what some traditional banks do.
For instance, if a transport company applies for a loan, 8lends verifies the ownership of its trucks, checks audited documents, and confirms that everything adds up before listing.
Collateral Verification
Collateral is not just listed and forgotten. 8lends continuously monitors its value, often with third-party verification.
| Collateral Type | Example | Verification Method |
| Real Estate | Property or warehouses | Third-party valuation |
| Equipment | Trucks or machinery | Market appraisal |
| Inventory | Goods or stock | Regular audit checks |
Group Investments
One interesting feature is collective funding. Investors can team up to fund one large loan. Let’s say a project needs 100,000 USDC. A hundred investors can each contribute 1,000 USDC, and everyone earns a share of the yield. It is democratic, easy, and spreads the risk.
Decent Yields and Low Fees
Investors can earn up to 23% yearly, depending on the project. A 3% commission is charged by borrowing companies, and it is only when the funding pool is complete.
The 8lends Marketplace
Inside the platform, each project is clearly listed with all its details. Below are some projects that are currently open:
| Project | Country | APR | Term | Risk | Funded |
| Consumer Loans | Bulgaria | 21.5% | 4 months | A | 28.74% |
| Industrial Logistics | Bulgaria | 22.5% | 9 months | A | 5.03% |
| Mango Wholesale | Kenya | 23.3% | 8 months | BBB | 56.38% |
| Coffee Equipment | Kenya | 23.5% | 8 months | BBB | 81.45% |
The layout is simple, with clear data on country, risk, and funding progress. The company claims there are no hidden details or fine print.
Wallets and Tech
8lends supports more than 150 crypto wallets. These include popular and less commonly used options. This ensures users won’t have to always send funds from one wallet to another before carrying out transactions.
Transaction processes also run through smart contracts. With this, funds go straight to your wallet when it is time to get paid. You won’t need to carry out any manual approval again.
Token and Ecosystem
The 8lends ecosystem runs with a small platform fee and the promise of a future native token. That token, called 8LENDS, will be part of the platform’s reward system, governance, and Launchpad.
Even though details remain under wraps, early users could benefit from an upcoming airdrop once the token goes live. It will make the platform more active and community-driven once it is fully launched.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Swiss-regulated and audited | Still fairly new |
| Real-world collateral | Investments are still limited to USDC |
| High-yielding potential | Limited borrower base so far |
| Transparent system | Regional concentration in Europe and Africa |
How to Get Started With 8lends
The first thing is to visit the official website. You will be able to connect your wallet there. Make sure to use a compatible wallet, such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or one of the other accepted options.
You can then choose the project you are comfortable with and invest in it. Since smart contracts control the whole payment, you won’t need to carry out any manual processes to secure your funds and the yield on the maturity day.
Bridge Between Crypto and Reality
8lends is trying to build something stable, real, and transparent. Its combination of Swiss compliance, real assets, and blockchain efficiency creates a lending model that could appeal to long-term investors.
If you have been looking for a DeFi platform that connects crypto yields with real-world value, 8lends might be worth keeping an eye on. It is still growing, but the foundation looks strong, and in crypto, that already means a lot.
Visit the 8Lend Ecosystem
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Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.