P2P lending models being used for NFT-backed loans
Peer-to-peer lending models are starting to be used as collateral for loans backed by non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
An NFT is a digital token that use the same blockchain technology as cryptocurrencies.
It gives a buyer ownership of a unique digital piece content such as art or memorabilia that is registered on the blockchain.
Some NFTs have sold for millions due to interest from artists such as Beeple and Grimes, while Kings of Leon released its latest album earlier this year as an NFT.
The amount of money involved in this area has also created a new market for lending.
There are now platforms letting borrowers post their NFT as collateral to access loans.
Most are based outside of the UK.
Read more: Is crypto-backed P2P lending a flash in the pan?
NFTfi lets borrowers put up assets for a loan and lenders make offers in return for interest.
A record $1.42m (£1.04m) loan was secured against an NFT on the platform last month.
Loans are given in a form of the Ethereum cryptocurrency called wrapped Ethereum or wETH.
There is no charge for the borrower but NFTfi takes a five per cent share of the interest that the lender has earned on a loan.
If a borrower defaults they will lose ownership of the NFT.
There are other crypto and NFT-related firms such as SYNC Network, Banksea and Strip that are looking to build similar platforms.
This could be the latest way that cryptos and P2P lending work together.
Prague-based P2P platform Bondster announced in September that it would start offering loans secured by Bitcoins.
In the UK, Lee Birkett, founder and chief executive of JustUs and sister company Moneybrain which has its own cryptocurrency BiPs, has said that crypto-backed P2P lending brings the best aspects of both asset classes together.
But the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is already known to be wary about the volatility of cryptocurrencies and often puts P2P lending in the same risk-band, which is seen as unfair by many in the sector.
Only time will tell if NFT-backed P2P lending is a step too far on the risk scale.
