We've received this question from one of our investors recently. And it got us thinking that many of you might think the same way. The reason may be that we haven't covered this exact question in more detail yet.
So, let's fix that!
🤩 8lends doesn't make money from the difference between the rate the borrower pays and the rate the investor receives, like a traditional bank.
The investor receives the entire loan rate, 19–25% per annum, without a single commission.
⚖️ The platform's income is a separate commission we charge the borrower (~3% of the pool amount), which the borrower pays the platform for arranging the financing.
So, 8lends' income doesn't depend on the investor's interest rate and doesn't become less sustainable if the rate is high. It depends on the volume of funding raised.
❗️ Now the second question: borrower sustainability. And it's fair. A rate of 19–25% is high compared to a bank loan. But this isn't an arbitrary figure; it's a consequence of the rating.
Each borrower undergoes due diligence and receives a credit rating from AAA to CCC, and the rate is tied to this risk profile.
🤔 Why would a borrower agree to such a rate if a bank offers a lower rate? Because for many of these borrowers, the bank doesn't offer a rate at all. The speed of access to financing, the absence of collateral requirements, and accessibility for businesses without a long credit history help close this gap.
Maclear AG, in this chain, doesn't make money from the interest rate at all. Its income comes from a different source: due diligence and business audits, not from investor or borrower interest. But that's another topic for discussion.
✨ Also, keep in mind that 8lends is a young platform, launched in March 2025, and the current APR range of 19–25% is part of the growth strategy that helps attract more investors at the start.
As the platform grows, rates are not guaranteed to remain at this level. It's worth taking advantage of the current terms now, rather than putting it off in the hopes that they will always remain the same.