8lends vs PeerBerry: Which Fits Your Portfolio in 2026?
Two consumer and business lenders using buyback-style protection, one blockchain-native settling in USDC, the other a EUR-denominated platform with ECSP application pending. Both target double-digit returns; neither holds a full EU crowdfunding licence today.
In short: PeerBerry has applied for EU ECSP authorisation in Lithuania and operates a secondary market for liquidity. 8lends runs under its parent Maclear AG's Swiss AML-only SRO and settles exclusively in USDC with no secondary market. Both use self-issued buyback guarantees; neither is deposit-insured.
Platform comparison table
| Attribute | 8lends | PeerBerry |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Zug/Zurich area, Switzerland (Maclear AG) | Zagreb, Croatia (operations in Vilnius, Lithuania) |
| Operating since | ~2023-2024 | 2017 |
| Regulator / licence | None in own name; parent under Swiss AML SRO (PolyReg) | ECSP application pending (Lithuania) |
| Loan types | RWA-backed (real estate, green energy, invoice factoring) | Consumer, leasing, real estate, business |
| BuyBack Guarantee | Yes, self-issued by 8lends | Yes |
| Secondary market | No | Yes |
| Minimum investment | ~100 USDC | EUR 10 |
| Target return | 18-25% APR | ~11.04% |
Where 8lends wins
Advantages
- Higher target yield: 18-25% APR versus PeerBerry's ~11.04%.
- Real-world-asset collateral: loans backed by real estate, green energy projects and invoice factoring, not purely consumer unsecured debt.
- Blockchain settlement: transparent on-chain transactions via Base network, audited smart contracts by CertiK and Cyberscope.
Where PeerBerry wins
Advantages
- Longer track record: operational since 2017, nearly a decade of loan performance data.
- ECSP application in progress: pending authorisation with Lithuanian regulators; 8lends has no equivalent EU application on record.
- Secondary market for liquidity: sell loans before maturity; 8lends offers no secondary market.
- EUR 10 minimum: lower entry barrier than 8lends' ~100 USDC requirement.
- No crypto wallet required: fiat settlement avoids the MetaMask or Trust Wallet setup.
Regulatory and licence comparison
PeerBerry has submitted an ECSP application to the Bank of Lithuania as of 2026. Approval would place the platform under EU crowdfunding regulations. Until then, PeerBerry operates without a formal licence but within its home-country consumer-lending framework. 8lends, by contrast, operates under its parent Maclear AG's Swiss AML-only SRO membership via PolyReg. This is not a prudential financial licence and carries no EU-style investor compensation fund. Neither platform today holds a full EU ECSP authorisation.
Buyback guarantees and settlement currency
Both platforms use self-issued buyback-style protection. PeerBerry's guarantee is denominated in EUR and has been active since 2017 with no public non-payment record as of this review date. 8lends' BuyBack Guarantee is denominated in USDC and self-issued by 8lends itself, not third-party insurance. PeerBerry settles all transactions in fiat EUR; 8lends settles exclusively in USDC on the Base blockchain, requiring users to hold and manage a Web3 wallet and stablecoin holdings.
Liquidity and exit options
PeerBerry operates a secondary market where investors can list loans for sale before maturity, providing an exit route beyond relying solely on the buyback guarantee or waiting for loan term completion. 8lends does not operate a secondary market; exit depends on loan maturity or triggering the self-issued BuyBack Guarantee if a loan enters default territory.
Bottom line
If you want an ECSP application in progress, nearly a decade of track record, a secondary market for liquidity and EUR settlement, PeerBerry is the clearer regulatory choice. If you prefer higher advertised yields, real-world-asset collateral, blockchain settlement transparency and are comfortable managing a Web3 wallet without a secondary market, 8lends offers those features. Neither platform today holds a full EU ECSP licence, and both use self-issued buyback guarantees with no deposit insurance. Verify current licensing status and guarantee performance directly with each platform before committing capital.
For a fuller assessment of 8lends' own safety profile, read our is 8lends safe review or explore alternatives to 8lends for more licensed EU options.
Frequently asked questions
PeerBerry has an ECSP application pending with Lithuanian regulators as of 2026. 8lends operates under its parent Maclear AG's Swiss AML-only SRO membership (PolyReg) and has no equivalent EU ECSP application on record.
PeerBerry provides a secondary market for liquidity. 8lends does not operate a secondary market; exit relies on loan maturity or the self-issued BuyBack Guarantee.
No. PeerBerry settles in EUR. 8lends settles exclusively in USDC on the Base blockchain; you need a Web3 wallet and must buy USDC before investing.