How to Start Investing on 8lends: Video Overview
Connect a wallet, buy USDC via Meld.io, and place your first investment — then claim a $30 First Investment Bonus once verified.
The technical onboarding steps on 8lends take roughly 15–20 minutes — connecting your wallet, topping up your balance, and making an investment. Researching projects and choosing the right one is a separate analytical stage that is best done in advance, without rushing. For investments up to $500, KYC is not required — connecting a wallet and an automatic AML check are enough. For investments above $500, KYC via Sumsub is mandatory. The full video guide is available on the 8lends YouTube channel.
Video Overview
Full video guide on getting started:https://youtu.be/wABYaut7zVc
The video covers:
- Registering on app.8lends.io and connecting a Web3 wallet
- Buying USDC via Meld.io (by card or Apple Pay / Google Pay) or transferring from an exchange
- A first investment up to $500 without KYC (with an automatic AML check of the wallet)
- Passing KYC via Sumsub for investments above $500 (3–5 minutes)
- Choosing a project and investing
- Receiving bonuses: First Investment Bonus $30 and Proof of Loan +4% in 8LNDS
Two Start Scenarios — Without KYC and With KYC
Scenario A — Quick Start Without KYC (up to $500)
Suitable for testing the platform and building trust before full verification:
| Step | Action | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecting a wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, etc.) | Technical step, 2–3 min |
| 2 | Topping up the balance in USDC up to $500 | Technical step, 5–10 min |
| 3 | Researching and choosing projects — recommended in advance | Analytical step, takes as long as you need to make a well-considered decision |
| 4 | Confirming the investment in the chosen project | Technical step, 1–2 min |
| 5 | Automatic AML check of the wallet | Technical step, 2–5 min |
| 6 | Crediting of bonuses — Proof of Loan +4% in 8LNDS (for everyone) + First Investment Bonus $30 USDC (only for KYC wallets) | After the pool closes, when the funds are put to work. The Welcome Bonus $30 USDC is credited only if KYC is present — for no-KYC investments the bonus is activated retroactively after KYC is passed |
Scenario B — Full Path With KYC (no limit on the amount)
Suitable for investing more than $500 or completing full verification right away:
| Step | Action | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecting a wallet | Technical step, 2–3 min |
| 2 | KYC via Sumsub | Technical step, 3–5 min |
| 3 | Topping up the balance in USDC | Technical step, 5–10 min |
| 4 | Researching and choosing projects — recommended in advance | Analytical step, takes as long as you need to make a well-considered decision |
| 5 | Confirming the investment in the chosen project | Technical step, 1–2 min |
| 6 | AML check of the wallet | Technical step, 2–5 min |
| 7 | Crediting of bonuses — First Investment Bonus $30 + Proof of Loan +4% in 8LNDS | After the pool closes, when the funds are put to work |
What the Wallet AML Check Is
For an investment up to $500 without KYC, the platform automatically checks the wallet address through an AML service (Anti-Money Laundering). This takes a few minutes and requires no action from the investor.
What is checked:
- Whether the wallet is on sanctions lists (OFAC, UN, EU, HM Treasury)
- Whether it is linked to mixers (Tornado Cash and similar)
- Whether it has a history of interaction with darknet services
- Whether it is linked to known fraudulent addresses or hacks
- Whether it belongs to jurisdictions on sanctions lists
What happens based on the results:
- The wallet is clean — the investment goes through, the funds are placed in the project
- The wallet is problematic — the funds are returned to the sender's address, the investment is not carried out
This is an automatic process: the investor does not see the check itself, only the final result. If a refund occurs, support can explain the reason via [email protected].
Why 8lends Allows Investing Without KYC
The goal is to lower the entry barrier for newcomers. Many users want to first try the platform with a small amount, understand the interface, check how payouts work — and only then complete full verification.
What this provides:
- Fast onboarding — from registration to investment without dealing with documents
- The opportunity to build trust in the platform with a small amount before full verification
- Accessibility for users for whom KYC may take time for technical reasons
At the same time, the AML check remains mandatory — this is a basic regulatory requirement, without which working with virtual assets is impossible on any serious platform. KYC is responsible for identifying the investor's identity; AML is responsible for the cleanliness of the wallet and funds. These are two different levels of verification.
When KYC Becomes Mandatory
| Investment amount | KYC | Wallet AML check |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $500 in total over all time | Not required | Mandatory automatically |
| Above $500 in total | Mandatory via Sumsub | Mandatory automatically |
If you started without KYC and are approaching the $500 limit, the platform will prompt you to complete KYC before the next investment. KYC is enabled once and works for all future investments without limits.
What You Need to Start
- A crypto wallet — MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Rabby, or another Web3 wallet supports EVM networks. More details
- USDC on the Base blockchain — a minimum of 100 USDC for the first investment. You can buy it via Meld.io directly in the 8lends interface or transfer it from an exchange
- A little ETH for gas — a few cents' worth to pay for transactions on the Base network
- A document for KYC — passport, ID card, or driver's license. Needed only for investments above $500. Sumsub supports 220+ countries
What the Video Will Show — Detailed Moments
The video guide shows specific interface elements:
- How exactly to click "Connect Wallet" and select MetaMask
- How to open Meld.io directly in the platform to buy USDC
- What the project card looks like and where to click to invest
- How the automatic AML check proceeds (what the investor sees)
- What the Sumsub KYC window looks like and which documents to attach (for Scenario B)
- Where to view your investments after investing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really invest without KYC? Yes, for amounts up to and including $500. This is a cumulative limit over all time on one account — meaning you can make one investment of $500 or several small ones, as long as the total amount does not exceed $500. The wallet AML check remains mandatory — it is an automatic process that requires no action from the user.
How do KYC and AML differ? KYC (Know Your Customer) is the identification of the investor's identity through documents (passport, selfie). AML (Anti-Money Laundering) is the check of the wallet address for links to sanctions, mixers, or the darknet. On 8lends, KYC is required only above $500, while AML is performed automatically for every investment.
What happens if the AML check is not passed? The funds are automatically returned to the sender's address, and the investment is not carried out. This happens if the wallet is linked to sanctions lists, mixers, or other undesirable sources. Support can clarify the reason via [email protected].
How long does the whole process take? The technical steps (connecting the wallet, topping up USDC, setting up the investment, and AML check) take 10–15 minutes without KYC and 15–20 minutes with KYC. Separately — researching projects: this is an analytical stage that shouldn't be timed. The more thoroughly you study the project card, credit rating, and collateral terms — the more informed your decision will be. Bonuses (First Investment + Proof of Loan) are credited later — after the pool closes, when the funds are put to work for the borrower.
In what order is it best to take the steps? The technical steps (wallet, top-up, AML/KYC) can be done in any order that is convenient. But researching projects is best done in advance or in parallel — not left until the moment you already want to invest. This reduces the risk of impulsive decisions and helps you choose a project that genuinely matches your risk profile and time horizon. More about how to research projects
When will I receive the bonuses — right after investing? No, not immediately. Bonuses are credited after the project's pool closes — the moment when the entire loan amount is collected and the funds are put to work for the borrower. This is the same logic as with interest: it is counted from the moment the money is actually working, not from the moment you "put it in the pool." The First Investment Bonus of $30 and Proof of Loan +4% in 8LNDS are both credited under this rule.
Can I start without a crypto wallet? No, a crypto wallet is mandatory — it is the basic infrastructure of a Web3 platform. All investments are stored in a smart contract on the Base blockchain, and access to them goes through the wallet.
What if I don't have USDC, only fiat money? The 8lends interface has the Meld.io service built in, which lets you buy USDC directly with a bank card or via Apple Pay / Google Pay. An alternative is to buy USDC on an exchange and transfer it to your wallet on the Base network. More details
If I invested $400 without KYC and then want to invest another $200 — what happens? The cumulative amount will exceed the $500 limit → the platform will prompt you to complete KYC before the second investment. After passing KYC, the restrictions are lifted, and you can invest any amounts.
Is it safe to give access to your wallet? 8lends operates on a non-custodial model: the platform does not gain control over your wallet. Connecting via MetaMask or WalletConnect only gives the platform the ability to request your confirmation for transactions. All funds remain under your control on-chain. More details — How the 8lends Platform Works: From Application to Investor Payouts.
See also:
8lends is a platform operated by CLEARCHAIN CORP, registered with FINTRAC (Canada) as a Money Services Business. Maclear AG (Switzerland), a member of PolyReg SRO under the supervision of FINMA, acts as the Collateral Agent. The wallet AML check is mandatory for all investments regardless of the amount. Regulatory framework as of September 2026.