Comparison
8lends vs Debitum: Which Fits Your Portfolio in 2026?
Two platforms targeting very different lender profiles: 8lends offers 18-25% APR on crypto-settled, real-world-asset-backed loans with no EU licence; Debitum delivers 11.4% on Latvian SME, invoice and agricultural loans under a MiFID II licence. The trade-off is yield against regulatory clarity and settled-currency risk.
| Attribute | 8lends | Debitum |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Zug/Zurich area, Switzerland (Maclear AG) | Riga, Latvia |
| Operating since | ~2023-2024 | 2017 |
| Regulator / licence | None in own name; parent under Swiss AML SRO (PolyReg) | Latvijas Banka, MiFID II |
| Loan types | RWA-backed (real estate, green energy, invoice factoring) | SME, invoice, agricultural |
| Buyback guarantee | Yes, self-issued by 8lends | No |
| Secondary market | No | No |
| Minimum investment | ~100 USDC | EUR 10 |
| Target return | 18-25% APR | ~11.4% |
Where 8lends wins
- Higher target yield. 8lends advertises 18-25% APR, materially above Debitum's 11.4%.
- Self-issued buyback guarantee. 8lends promises to repurchase defaulted loans, though the guarantee is issued by 8lends itself, not a third-party insurer.
- Blockchain settlement. Loans settle in USDC on the Base network, offering programmable transparency and smart-contract-based loan tracking for investors comfortable with that infrastructure.
Where Debitum wins
- MiFID II licence. Debitum holds a MiFID II licence from Latvijas Banka, giving it a recognised regulatory framework within the EU that 8lends lacks.
- Longer track record. Debitum has operated since 2017; 8lends as a product is materially younger.
- Fiat settlement. Debitum settles loans in euros, avoiding stablecoin depeg risk or blockchain wallet complexity. Investors who prefer not to handle crypto wallets will find Debitum's fiat flow simpler.
- Lower minimum. Debitum requires EUR 10 per loan; 8lends asks for roughly 100 USDC, a higher threshold for small diversification.
Neither platform offers a secondary market. Once you commit capital to a loan on 8lends or Debitum, you hold it until maturity or default. If liquidity matters, both platforms pose the same illiquidity constraint.
Bottom line
The choice between 8lends and Debitum comes down to whether you prioritise yield or regulatory clarity. 8lends offers nearly double Debitum's advertised return, but that yield is unlicensed, crypto-settled and backed by a self-issued buyback promise. Debitum delivers a lower but MiFID II-supervised return in fiat euros, with nearly a decade of operating history and no buyback safety net. If you are comfortable with USDC, wallet custody and the lack of EU prudential oversight, 8lends' higher target may suit a high-risk slice of your portfolio. If you prefer a licensed, fiat-denominated flow and accept a lower yield for it, Debitum is the clearer regulatory fit. Both platforms carry a risk of partial or total loss of capital.
For a fuller assessment of 8lends' own risks and strengths, see the main safety review.
Frequently asked questions
No. Debitum does not offer a buyback guarantee on any of its loan types. If a borrower defaults, investors bear the loss directly unless recoveries materialise through Debitum's collection process.
Debitum holds a MiFID II licence from Latvijas Banka and operates under established EU financial supervision. 8lends holds no licence in its own name; its parent Maclear AG is registered under a Swiss AML-only SRO with no deposit or investor compensation scheme. From a regulatory-oversight perspective, Debitum offers a clearer framework.
Neither platform offers a secondary market. Both 8lends and Debitum require investors to hold loans until maturity or default. If you need liquidity before a loan repays, neither platform provides an exit route.