8lends is a crypto-based investment platform that allows users to earn yield by funding loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

Launched in 2025, the platform is built on blockchain infrastructure and uses USDC as its primary investment currency.

How It Works

Users invest in business loans starting from 100 USDC.

• Loans typically last 4–16 months
• Interest is paid monthly
• Returns are fixed at the time of investment

At the end of the loan term, the principal is returned.

Key Features

• Returns: ~19–25% APR in USDC
• Minimum investment: 100 USDC
• Blockchain: Base (Layer 2)
• Collateral: Real-world assets (equipment, real estate, vehicles)

Each loan includes detailed information about the borrower and risk metrics.

Yield Source

Unlike many DeFi platforms, yield comes from:

• Interest paid by real businesses

This differs from:

• Token rewards
• Liquidity incentives

Additional Rewards

Additional rewards users may also receive:

• 8LNDS tokens as a bonus
• Referral rewards
• Promotional incentives

Token rewards are separate from the main USDC yield.

Risk Factors

• Borrowers may default
• Funds are locked during the loan term
• Collateral liquidation may take time
• Platform is relatively new

8lends offers a different approach to crypto yield by connecting investors with real-world lending opportunities.

It may appeal to users looking for:

• Fixed returns
• Exposure to non-crypto economic activity