Fintech is changing the way we live and work, disrupting traditional industries and putting more power in the hands of the consumer.
In this month’s Corestrat fintech newsletter, we discuss one of the most exciting developments in the financial industry: peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, a dynamic and disruptive force that is revolutionizing the lending landscape. P2P lending has emerged as a powerful alternative to conventional lending models. By connecting borrowers directly with investors through online platforms, P2P lending eliminates the need for intermediaries like banks and credit unions. Through these platforms, borrowers and lenders can connect effortlessly, benefiting from a more efficient and transparent lending process.
Unlike traditional banks that heavily rely on credit scores, P2P lending platforms leverage advanced technology and data analytics to assess borrowers’ creditworthiness comprehensively. Factors such as employment, income, credit history, and even social media activities are taken into account to determine the appropriate risk level and interest rate for each borrower. This personalized approach enables borrowers with good credit profiles to enjoy more favorable terms, fostering financial inclusion on a global scale.
While P2P lending is gaining significant traction and disrupting the lending landscape, it is not without its challenges. The risk of borrower defaults remains a concern, and regulators and policymakers are keeping a close eye on the industry to ensure consumer protection and stability.
Here, are some of the top stories from this space:
Investment / Partnership Deals
Uni Cards, a prominent buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) startup, has recently finalized the acquisition of OHMY Technologies (OMLP2P), a well-established peer-to-peer lending platform. This strategic acquisition aims to provide seamless access to their credit lines through Uni Cash.
Amartha, a leading FinTech firm operating a peer-to-peer lending platform in Indonesia, has secured an investment of $100 million from Community Investment Management (CIM), a strategic debt provider. Amartha’s unique approach to peer-to-peer lending has positioned them as an innovative solution in the industry. Despite facing initial challenges and nearing collapse, the company successfully pivoted from conventional microfinance to peer-to-peer lending in 2016, marking a significant turning point in its trajectory.The recently raised funds will be directed towards providing working capital loans to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. Amartha has already disbursed over $800 million in working capital loans to 1.6 million businesses, with a substantial representation of women-led enterprises.
e& Enterprise, a subsidiary of Emirates Telecommunications Group, has recently signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Beehive Group, the pioneering online marketplace for peer-to-peer lending to SMEs in the MENA region. With a transaction valued at USD 35 million, e& Enterprise will acquire a 61 per cent — 69 per cent stake in Beehive through a combination of primary capital injection and the acquisition of existing shares. The acquisition presents a tremendous opportunity for e& Enterprise to harness the exponential growth potential of the peer-to-peer lending market and leverage Beehive’s extensive expertise and knowledge in this space. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Beehive is the leading crowdfunding platform in the region, facilitating connections between creditworthy businesses and investors, including private individuals and institutions.
Sharakah, a company dedicated to SME development in Oman, has partnered with Beehive, a leading fintech company, as a new investor. Beehive and Sharakah aim to empower the SME economy by providing fast and accessible finance solutions. By connecting businesses needing funding with investors, Beehive eliminates the complexities and costs associated with traditional finance, offering a streamlined process that grants faster access to lower-cost finance. With Sharakah’s investment, Beehive’s liquidity will expand, enabling funding for a broader range of SMEs in Oman. Beehive’s commitment to supporting SME growth means that creditworthy companies can access collateral-free, debt-based finance starting from OMR 20,000 with repayment terms spanning 6 to 36 months. This partnership signifies a significant milestone in facilitating the growth and success of SMEs in Oman’s evolving economic landscape.
New product features, highlights & use cases
Blur, an NFT marketplace, has made a groundbreaking move by launching Blend, a peer-to-peer lending platform designed to maximize NFT liquidity. With Blend, traders can leverage their NFT purchases by offering collateral, mirroring the down payment and mortgage concept in real estate. This innovative lending protocol empowers collectors to finance a portion of the NFT’s value upfront while spreading the remaining balance over time. Blend stands out in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space with its feeless structure for traders and lenders, further solidifying Blur’s presence in the DeFi ecosystem. Offering flexibility and permissionless functionality, Blend supports various collateral types without relying on external oracles, allowing the market to dictate interest rates and loan-to-value ratios. Since its launch in early May, Blend has experienced remarkable growth, facilitating over 3,400 NFT-backed loans valued at an impressive 55,000 ETH (£80m).
Nester, an Islamic peer-to-peer (P2P) financier, has become the first in the UK to launch an Innovative Finance Individual Savings Account (IFISA) under the newly revised law, which now grants tax benefits to Shariah-compliant platforms. The IFISA is a tax-free Individual Savings Account that enables investors to earn tax-free returns on P2P financing, crowdfunding investments, and other alternative finance products. Unlike traditional cash and stocks and shares ISAs, the IFISA offers investors direct exposure to financing and investment opportunities, connecting buyers in need of funding with interested investors. Until recently, tax breaks were limited to conventional ISAs with a P2P component, leaving Shariah-compliant P2Ps unable to offer Shariah-compliant P2P ISAs. However, the recent legislative change has leveled the playing field, allowing tax-free ISAs to be utilized for Islamic P2P financiers’ secured fixed-income products. This development marks a significant step forward in promoting financial inclusivity and expanding the options available to investors seeking Sharia-compliant investment opportunities in the UK.
Industry Trends
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending continues to gain immense popularity as it offers borrowers lower interest rates and higher returns for lenders, challenging the traditional financial institution landscape. The P2P lending market, valued at USD 134.35 billion in 2022, is projected to reach USD 926.55 billion by 2030, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.3% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for financing options among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often face challenges accessing credit from conventional banks. Furthermore, the market is fueled by the rising need for affordable and convenient financing alternatives. With factors like digitalization, a diverse borrower and investor base, and a supportive regulatory environment, North America is set to emerge as a dominant player in the global P2P lending market. ~ SNS Insider
The peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market is witnessing a significant trend with the emergence of decentralized P2P mobile browsers. This innovative approach is gaining immense popularity among major companies in the industry as they seek to expand their market share. By adopting decentralized P2P mobile browsers, these companies are enhancing their capabilities and transforming how P2P lending operates. ~ResearchAndMarkets
As the world’s first Web3 peer-to-peer lending platform, Collateral Network is revolutionizing lending by enabling users to borrow against real-world assets on the blockchain, including watches, art, cars, and other valuable items. With its real-world utility, Collateral Network has become the top investment choice for crypto experts, standing out as the only altcoin on the market offering this extraordinary feature. As investors flock to seize the opportunities presented by this revolutionary project, Collateral Network exhibits tremendous potential to rise to the pinnacle of the trillion-dollar lending industry.