Who Is Behind 8lends? CLEARCHAIN CORP and Maclear AG
Two jurisdictions, one lending model: why 8lends splits platform operations and borrower due diligence between a Canadian Money Services Business and a Swiss firm founded in 2020.
8lends is run by two companies with separate responsibilities. CLEARCHAIN CORP (Canada, British Columbia) is the platform operator, responsible for general operations: the interface and smart contracts, USDC settlements, KYC/KYB, AML/CFT procedures and sanctions screening. It is registered with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business. Maclear AG (Switzerland, Basel) is the Collateral Agent, responsible for borrower due diligence, collateral assessment, and legal registration under the supervision of PolyReg SRO / FINMA. 8lends is the Web3 evolution of Maclear, using the same borrower assessment team but expanding the model to USDC and the global market.
Two companies – two areas of responsibility
| Company | Jurisdiction | Area of responsibility | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| **CLEARCHAIN CORP** | Canada, British Columbia | 8lends platform operator: interface and smart contracts, USDC settlements, KYC/KYB, AML/CFT | FINTRAC (Money Services Business, reg. No. C100001102) |
| **Maclear AG** | Switzerland, Basel | Collateral Agent: borrower due diligence, collateral assessment and registration, debt collection in case of default | PolyReg SRO supervised by FINMA |
Separation of responsibilities is a standard approach in Web3 lending: the platform operator runs operations and compliance, while due diligence of real businesses and collateral work sit with a specialised Collateral Agent in a traditional financial jurisdiction.
CLEARCHAIN CORP — Platform Operator
CLEARCHAIN CORP is a corporation incorporated in British Columbia, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (incorporation number BC1551271).
It is registered with FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) as a Money Services Business (MSB registration No. C100001102) under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA).
Legal Parameters:
- Registered office: Unit 100, 6060 Silver Dr, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5H 0H5
- Contact: [email protected]
- MSB registration: valid until August 31, 2028; renewed every two years if all regulatory requirements continue to be met
CLEARCHAIN CORP’s Area of Responsibility:
- Operation of the 8lends platform and its interface (app.8lends.io)
- Smart contract operation on the Base blockchain
- USDC settlements
- KYC/KYB via Sumsub
- AML/CFT compliance and sanctions screening (PCMLTFA, Canada)
For more information about the regulatory framework, see Is 8lends Regulated?.
Maclear AG — Collateral Agent
Maclear AG is a Swiss company registered in Basel. The legal entity was established in 2020, and the Maclear P2B platform was launched in 2022.
Legal Info:
- Legal address: Teichgässlein 9, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Founders: Denis Ustyev, Alexander Lang
- Regulator: Member of PolyReg SRO supervised by FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
- AML Auditor: Grant Thornton AG
Maclear AG’s area of responsibility as Collateral Agent:
- Borrower due diligence: financial stability, credit history, documents
- Collateral assessment and legal registration (RWA)
- Assignment of a credit rating
- Monitoring borrower performance
- Sale of collateral in the event of default
- Legal support for debt collection
Learn more about due diligence in How 8lends Selects Companies for Funding.
Relationship between 8lends and Maclear
8lends is the Web3 evolution of Maclear. The same borrower assessment team works on both platforms, but the products are different:
| Aspect | Maclear | 8lends |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | 2022 | 2025 |
| Currency | EUR | USDC |
| Infrastructure | Fiat / SEPA | Smart contracts on Base |
| Region | Europe | Global |
| Minimum Investment amount | €50 | 100 USDC |
| Rates | 14–16% | 19–25% |
| Regulation | PolyReg SRO / FINMA | MSB registered with FINTRAC (Canada) + Collateral Agent under PolyReg SRO |
Maclear AG plays the same role on both platforms—Collateral Agent, responsible for borrower and collateral due diligence. This gives 8lends a ready-made borrower assessment pipeline with several years of operational experience at launch.
Why this structure?
Two regulatory types give the platform a strong foundation:
— Swiss jurisdiction (Maclear AG): for working with real businesses and collateral. Swiss due diligence standards are considered among the strictest in the world.
— Canadian MSB registration (CLEARCHAIN CORP): for operating the platform under FINTRAC supervision: AML/CFT procedures, customer identification, recordkeeping and reporting under the PCMLTFA.
The alternative option, trying to regulate everything under a single jurisdiction, doesn’t work in practice: either the Swiss regulation isn’t suitable for Web3 transactions, or crypto jurisdictions don’t have the developed infrastructure to handle collateral for real businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maclear the parent company of 8lends?
No. Maclear AG is a Collateral Agent, performing due diligence and collateral management. The operator of the 8lends platform is CLEARCHAIN CORP, an independent legal entity in Canada. These are two independent companies with separate areas of responsibility.
What does CLEARCHAIN CORP’s registration with FINTRAC involve?
CLEARCHAIN CORP is registered with FINTRAC, Canada’s national financial intelligence agency, as a Money Services Business under the PCMLTFA. This means an AML/CFT compliance program, customer identification (KYC/KYB), sanctions screening, recordkeeping and mandatory reporting to FINTRAC, including suspicious transaction reports. The registration is valid for two years and is renewed only if all requirements continue to be met. Meanwhile, the crucial borrower due diligence is conducted through Maclear AG in Switzerland, which is subject to one of the strictest regulatory systems in the world.
Why a Canadian operator if Maclear AG is in Switzerland?
Swiss financial regulation (PolyReg SRO / FINMA) works well for traditional fiat financing and for due diligence of real businesses. The platform itself — accounts, KYC/KYB, AML/CFT and USDC settlements — is operated by CLEARCHAIN CORP within the Canadian Money Services Business framework. Borrower due diligence and collateral work are carried out through Maclear AG in Switzerland.
Is it possible to verify the registration of CLEARCHAIN CORP and Maclear?
Yes. CLEARCHAIN CORP — incorporation number BC1551271 (British Columbia), MSB registration No. C100001102. Maclear AG — Swiss commercial register, registered office Teichgässlein 9, 4058 Basel. Regulatory status can be checked in the FINTRAC MSB registry and on the PolyReg SRO website.
Who makes loan decisions on 8lends?
The decision is made by Maclear AG as the Collateral Agent after completing due diligence. The 8lends platform, operated by CLEARCHAIN CORP, provides the technical infrastructure for business listing and fundraising from investors. No loan decisions are made automatically by an algorithm—each business undergoes expert review.
Will Maclear coexist with 8lends?
Yes, both platforms operate in parallel and serve different audiences: Maclear serves European investors with EUR via SEPA, while 8lends serves a global audience via USDC and blockchain. Borrowers can raise funds on one platform or the other, depending on their preferences.
Do Maclear investors have advantages on 8lends?
Investors who have already completed KYC with Maclear can use a simplified process to transfer their verification to 8lends via a special Google form, so there is no need to pass KYC again.
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 supervised by FINMA, acts as the Collateral Agent. Regulatory framework as of September 2026.