Admin May 20, 2026
The Swiss crowdfunding market continues to evolve – but crowdlending is clearly the most dynamic segment. Particularly exciting: In addition to structural trends, specific platforms are gaining increasing importance as a central interface between capital and loan demand.
What is Crowdlending?
Crowdlending enables:
• Investors to directly finance loans
• Borrowers (individuals, SMEs, real estate developers) to obtain capital
• Platforms to handle the brokerage, review, and processing
A mature platform market has established itself in Switzerland.
The most important crowdlending platforms in Switzerland
Consumer loans, SMEs, and real estate financing
Crowd4Cash
• Special feature: One of the established providers with a broad, unique product portfolio (including POS and pre-financing of rent)
• Strength: A strong player in retail crowdlending with a high volume of projects. The platform is profitable.
Cashare
• Special feature: Switzerland's oldest crowdlending platform
• Strength: Broad market recognition and long history
Lend
• Special feature: Close ties to institutional partners and therefore significant funding power
• Strength: Broad market recognition and good UX
SME and Real Estate Financing
CG24
Special feature: Close ties to institutional partners and therefore significant funding power
Strength: Financing of larger projects is possible
SME Loans
Swisspeers
• Special feature: High specialization in SME loans
• Strength: Extensive expertise in the SME sector and one of the largest providers in this sector
Real Estate Crowdlending as a Growth factor
The study clearly shows: Banks are financing real estate projects more restrictively, particularly due to regulatory requirements.
Consequence:
• Funding gaps emerge
• Developers seek alternatives
• Crowdlending platforms gain market share
Crowdlending is increasingly becoming a bridge financing option in the real estate sector.
Regulation & Basel III: Tailwind for Platforms
With the introduction of Basel III Final:
• Increased equity capital requirements for banks
• Decreased loan availability
• Increased financing costs
The volumes are increasing based on the increasing maturity of the market:
Crowdlending platforms benefit directly and can offer the following advantages:
• Faster loan decisions
• More flexible structures
• New investor groups
Opportunities: Why Crowdlending Remains Attractive in 2026
For Investors:
• Access to new asset classes
• Returns above traditional fixed-income products
• Platform-based diversification
For Borrowers:
• Alternative to banks
• Speed and flexibility
• Access to capital despite restrictions
Outlook 2026: Consolidation and Professionalization
The market is moving towards:
1. Institutionalization
• More institutional investors
• Larger loans
• More professional structures
2. Platform consolidation
• Fewer, but stronger providers – Inactive platform will remain inactive
• Economies of scale are crucial
3. Focus Real Estate
• Dominant Growth Segment
• Further Growth Due to Basel III – Banks' Equity Capital Requirements
Conclusion: Platforms Determine Success
Crowdlending is no longer a niche market. The decisive success factor is shifting: It's no longer the model, but the platform that matters.
• Established providers like Crowd4Cash are securing the crowdlending market. No new platforms are entering the market.
• Real estate platforms dominate growth.
Hypothesis: 2026 will be the year in which crowdlending is finally established in the financing system.
Source: Swiss Crowdfunding Monitor 2026: https://hub.hslu.ch/retailbanking/download/crowdfunding-monitor-schweiz/
