8lends: Important Updates to Platform Terms

Any lending platform faces greater uncertainty at launch: there is no default data, no risk assessment validated by real-world cases, and no established database of borrowers with repayment histories. In this context, high interest rates and short loan terms can serve as a built-in safeguard: the platform recovers capital faster and limits its exposure to longer-term risk. This is common among platforms in their early stages and is not unique to 8lends. In our case, however, the terms for borrowers were less favorable than those offered by more experienced and established platforms.

8lends has built up a track record and gathered repayment data, which allows us to rebalance the terms. Borrowers and investors are both economic participants on the platform, so borrower terms should reflect actual, verified risk levels. That's why we're lowering interest rates for borrowers and extending loan terms, giving businesses more time to manage their repayments.

In addition, referral bonuses and cashback rates have been reduced from 6% to 4%. Why? The initial incentive programs were more aggressive because the platform needed to grow its user base quickly. Now the focus is shifting toward long-term sustainability.

A platform where the terms consistently favor only one side will eventually lose participants on the other. For borrowing businesses, longer terms and lower rates reduce the risk of default by giving them more time to repay the debt from operating revenue instead of having to use critical reserves under the pressure of a tight deadline. For investors, this means a healthier overall borrower base, which matters more in the long run than securing the highest possible rate on any single deal.

Only to new ones. The changes apply to new loan stages as they are launched, while existing loans continue to be serviced under the terms agreed upon when they were issued.

Yes. The platform's terms will continue to evolve as its track record and reputation grow, and further adjustments may follow as the business develops.

At the same time, investor returns on 8lends remain significantly higher than those offered by bank deposits and competitive with other blockchain-based private credit platforms. Our goal now is to maintain an attractive and secure investment environment while laying the groundwork for the platform's long-term stability and expansion into new regions.

To sum up, these changes are designed to give businesses more room to repay their loans while maintaining the security and attractiveness of investments. We believe this approach will support the long-term growth and expansion of 8lends.