JetLend is a leading crowdlending platform in Russia that connects ordinary individual investors with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in need of financing. Simply put, it is a digital “bridge” that allows people to lend money directly to businesses, bypassing banks as intermediaries, and earn interest from it.

The popularity of JetLend is no coincidence - the platform held a 42.1% market share at the end of 2024, outperforming all competitors in the crowdlending sector. The company has been operating since 2018 and has earned the trust of thousands of users. It is important to note that JetLend operates completely legally and has been included in the register of investment platform operators by the Central Bank of Russia since December 21, 2020.

The platform’s operating model is extremely simple: investors provide funds, JetLend distributes this money among vetted companies, borrowers repay loans with interest, and investors receive their share of the payments. JetLend acts as a reliable intermediary and ensures that all obligations are met.

The numbers are impressive: loans totaling 29.81 billion rubles have been issued through the platform, there are 64,754 active investors, and 3,824 companies have become clients. The platform demonstrates high market returns, which we will discuss in more detail in the following sections.

In March 2025, a landmark event took place - JetLend went public, conducting the first IPO of a crowdlending platform in Russia, with a company valuation ranging from 8 to 12 billion rubles. This was the first IPO in Russia in 2025 and drew additional attention to this investment segment.

If you are interested and want to learn more or start investing, the official website of the platform is: https://jetlend.ru.

28.7% per annum: a fairy tale or reality? JetLend's actual returns and risks

JetLend attracts investors with impressive yield figures. According to the platform, the weighted average rate over the past 30 days (April 2025) is 28.7%, while in 2024 the market yield ranged from 25.71% in July to 33.4% in March 2025. The declared average return for all investors since January 2020 reached 113.9%, and investors’ monthly interest income is about 100 million rubles.

However, these numbers should be viewed critically. Actual returns differ significantly from those advertised. The experience of real users shows a substantial gap between expectations and reality. As one investor with four years of experience notes: “JetLend managers called several times and offered to top up my account, promising a 29% annual return. But I still have a screenshot from last year where they promised 25%, and in reality I only received 12%.”

The main factor affecting actual returns is borrower defaults. The statistics for this indicator are as follows:

The probability of default for small businesses over a one-year horizon ranges from 0.01% to 20.95%, and all credit risk falls entirely on investors, not on JetLend. For scale: when issuing a loan of 1 million rubles to a company with a rating of 9, expected losses amount to 7,158 rubles (0.72% of the sum). But reality can be much harsher. According to one investor’s experience: “In a bad year, one out of every two rubles earned may go to cover defaults.”

If a payment is overdue by more than 30 days, an automatic collection process is initiated:

• Default is declared
• After 3 business days, the right of claim is assigned
• After 5 business days, a lawsuit is filed in the Moscow Arbitration Court
• Then follows the receipt of a writ of execution and account seizure

The platform can already boast some successes in court-in August 2024, five claims against defaulted borrowers were satisfied. However, quick recovery of funds is not guaranteed, and selling shares on the secondary market is often difficult, especially for loans issued in 2022-2023, which were granted at lower rates and are now less attractive to buyers.

How to start investing on JetLend: a step-by-step guide for beginners

Decided to try investing on JetLend? Let’s figure out how to get started quickly! The platform is quite easy to master, even if you have never invested before.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Go to the official website jetlend.ru, click the “Start” button, and select “Investor.”
2. Enter your phone number and confirm it with a code from SMS. The system will ask you to complete identification-upload a scan of your passport (the page with your photo and the registration page).
3. Take a test to determine your risk profile-the platform will assess your attitude to risk and suggest suitable investment options.
4. Choose a strategy: conservative (minimal risk), balanced (medium risk), or aggressive (high yield with increased risk).
5. Top up your account (minimum 10,000 ₽) in any convenient way. Since December 2023, top-ups via SBP are commission-free!

After that, you can set up auto-investing or independently choose companies for investment. The minimum amount for a single loan is just 100 rubles.

Important restrictions:

• Only an adult citizen of the Russian Federation can become an investor (except for sole proprietors with professional income tax as self-employed).
• There is a limit for non-qualified investors-up to 600,000 rubles per year on the primary market (no limits on the secondary market).

Want to invest on the go? Download the JetLend mobile app from Google Play! You can track investment dynamics, top up your account, and manage strategies. According to user reviews, the app has an intuitive interface with clear charts.

For convenience, all account top-up operations can be carried out through any bank. For example, to top up via Tinkoff, simply scan the QR code in your JetLend personal account, enter the amount in the Tinkoff app, and confirm the transfer. Funds are usually credited within an hour.

Auto-investing and strategies: how to make your money work without your participation

The JetLend platform offers auto-investing-a tool that allows you to earn income without constant monitoring. The mechanism is simple: the system itself distributes your funds across loans according to specified parameters, ensuring an optimal balance between risk and potential profit.

JetLend has developed three basic auto-investing strategies, differing in risk level:

• Conservative - minimal risks with stable returns, focusing on borrowers with high reliability ratings
• Balanced - optimal balance between potential profit and possible risks
• Aggressive - maximum returns with increased risk, suitable for experienced investors

The key advantage of auto-investing is smart diversification. The system does not invest more than 1% of your balance in a single loan, which is critically important for reducing overall portfolio risk. This rule works automatically and protects against excessive concentration of funds in individual loans.

Since 2023, the auto-investing functionality has expanded-it now works not only on the primary, but also on the secondary market. This greatly increases opportunities for diversification and portfolio management. An important nuance: for auto-investing on the secondary market, the borrower's financial discipline must exceed 60%.

Since March 2025, JetLend has abolished the commission for selling loans on the secondary market, significantly increasing investment liquidity and simplifying early exit from positions. However, liquidity is not guaranteed, especially for loans from 2022-2023 with low rates-amid current rising interest rates, they are sold only at a significant discount.

Premium tariff holders get extended features:

• “Rentier” mode for regular profit withdrawals
• Selection of borrowers by industry and region
• Personal manager for consultations
• Priority in investing when new loans appear

Taxes? Don’t panic! Simple rules for JetLend investors

Income from investments on JetLend is subject to personal income tax (NDFL) under the updated scale. Since 2025, the government has lowered the threshold for the increased rate: 13% applies to income up to 2.4 million ₽ per year, and 15% to the excess amount. For comparison, the previous threshold was 5 million ₽.

The main advantage for ordinary investors is automatic taxation. You do not need to calculate and pay the tax yourself; the borrower acts as the tax agent. They transmit all necessary data to the Federal Tax Service and pay the required amount themselves.

Let’s look at an example: an investor received an annual income of 3.2 million ₽. The tax will be: 2,400,000 ₽ × 13% = 312,000 ₽ + 800,000 ₽ × 15% = 120,000 ₽. Total: 432,000 ₽.

The tax system is different for individual entrepreneurs. Under the simplified tax system “Income” at a rate of 6%+1%, you will pay 7% on annual profit exceeding 300,000 rubles, or the standard 6% if profit is below this amount.

Since 2023, JetLend has introduced an important update for secondary market transactions via auto-investing-the platform pays taxes itself for both individuals and sole proprietors. The mechanism works as follows: when selling loans, the transaction is processed at 100% of the price, and the profit is credited as a bonus, from which the platform automatically withholds personal income tax.

Don’t forget about the possibility of getting a tax deduction-if certain conditions are met, you can get back part of the tax paid (up to 250,000 ₽), which significantly increases the final yield of your investments.

5 key tips for JetLend beginners to avoid mistakes

Joined JetLend and don’t know where to start? Many beginners make typical mistakes: trusting questionable advice, investing their last money, or panicking at the first default. Let’s figure out how to use the platform effectively and avoid common problems.

1. Start with the minimum amount. Although JetLend has removed the limit on the first deposit, it is wise to start with a small sum. One user shares: “I have been using this platform for 4 months, deposits are fast, and I see loan receipts and issuances in real time.” Gradually increase your portfolio as you understand the processes.
2. Follow diversification principles. Remember that crowdlending requires spreading funds across many loans. According to investors, proper diversification allows you to achieve an average return of 8-9% over about 8 months.
3. Choose the right strategy. Beginners should start with the conservative one-the yield is lower, but the risks are minimal. More details about available strategies and their principles are described in the auto-investing section.
4. Consider the time horizon. Crowdlending is an investment for at least 2-3 years. Early withdrawal via the secondary market is technically possible, but not always economically justified. Selling assets can take a long time, especially if the economic situation is unfavorable.
5. Invest only free funds. It is strongly not recommended to invest your last savings or borrowed money. Unlike bank deposits, investments on JetLend are not insured by the state and carry a risk of loss. This tool should only be part of your investment portfolio.

Important note: many users report that auto-investing may be enabled automatically upon registration. Carefully check your settings! Before starting, it is recommended to study the JetLend Academy materials-this will save you nerves and money.

Avoid other common mistakes: investing a significant part of your funds in 1-2 loans, panicking at the first default, and having overly high expectations for returns. Remember, investing is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires patience and a rational approach.

JetLend vs. bank deposits: 2-3 times more profit, but is it worth the risk?

In 2025, the average maximum rate on deposits in the top 10 Russian banks is about 20.04%. In the second decade of April, maximum interest rates range from 17.91% to 19.41% depending on the term. Some banks offer more attractive terms: Databank – 25%, Bank “Saint Petersburg” – 23%, MTS Bank – 22%.

Comparing these figures with those declared on JetLend, we see a significant difference in potential returns. However, it is fundamentally important to understand that this difference is offset by radically different risk levels.

Important note: Investing 100,000 ₽ for a year in a bank deposit will bring about 20,000 ₽ profit with a guarantee of return, while JetLend can theoretically bring a higher return, but considering the average default rate (3.6-8%), the actual yield is often lower than advertised.

Risks must be assessed realistically. While the banking system ensures the safety of the principal thanks to state guarantees, in crowdlending you fully assume the credit risk of borrowers. In periods of economic instability, this can significantly reduce actual returns.

Deposits offer stable income and a high level of security, which is ideal for conservative investors. Crowdlending is attractive for those willing to take risks for potentially higher returns. For most investors, the optimal solution is to allocate funds between both instruments, ensuring a balance between risk and return.