The investing world is evolving rapidly, and it’s no longer just about stocks, bonds, or ETFs. In the past decade, new financial technologies have opened the door to alternative investment options that were once limited to institutions or wealthy insiders. Among the most talked-about are crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms. They promise access to early-stage businesses, real estate deals, or consumer loans—often with attractive return potential. But with great opportunity comes a fair share of risk.
If you’re a retail investor seeking portfolio diversification or yield outside the traditional markets, these platforms might sound tempting. But before jumping in, it’s essential to understand how they work, what they offer, and where they can go wrong.
Cosa sono le piattaforme di crowdfunding e di prestito?
Let’s start with definitions. Crowdfunding platforms allow investors to pool money to finance ventures or projects—typically startups, real estate developments, or green energy infrastructure. You can choose between equity crowdfunding (buying shares in a company) and debt crowdfunding (lending money with the expectation of interest payments).
On the other hand, P2P lending platforms connect individual investors with borrowers—either consumers or small businesses—cutting out the traditional banking middleman. In return for taking on more risk, investors earn interest.
Le piattaforme più note in Europa sono Seedrs, Crowdcube, October, Mintos e Bondora. In Italia, negli ultimi anni si sono affermate piattaforme come Mamacrowd, Walliance (per il settore immobiliare) e Prestiamoci.
What’s the Appeal for Investors?
Il fascino è duplice: rendimenti potenziali più elevati e accesso ad attività early-stage o non correlate.
- Prestito P2P platforms often offer interest rates between 5% and 12%, depending on the borrower’s profile and the platform’s risk filter.
- Equity crowdfunding gives investors a chance to back the “next big thing” in its early days—startups that might eventually grow significantly or even be acquired.
For example, Mamacrowd reports an average annual return of around 12% on successful exits. Walliance, in the real estate space, lists completed projects that have returned 6–10% per year, with average durations of 24 months.
In un contesto di bassi tassi di interesse o quando i mercati pubblici sono sopravvalutati, queste alternative possono sembrare un'operazione intelligente.
The Risks You Can’t Ignore
However, it’s critical to understand the downsides. First and foremost: these investments are illiquido. Una volta investiti in una startup o in un progetto immobiliare, potreste non essere in grado di vendere la vostra posizione fino al completamento del progetto o all'uscita della società (cosa che potrebbe non accadere mai).
Il rischio di insolvenza è un'altra delle principali preoccupazioni del P2P lending. Anche con la diversificazione, alcuni prestiti falliranno. Mintos, ad esempio, ha riportato rendimenti medi annui di circa 9% nel 2023, ma questo includeva alcune inadempienze e rimborsi ritardati.
There’s also rischio della piattaforma. These marketplaces are relatively new, and not all are created equal. Some may lack proper oversight, transparency, or reserve funds to protect investors. It’s essential to choose platforms regulated by national financial authorities (like CONSOB in Italy or the FCA in the UK).
Infine, il due diligence is often left to the investor. Unlike a mutual fund where a team of analysts manages your capital, here it’s your responsibility to read financials, understand business models, and evaluate loan grades.
Per chi sono più adatte queste piattaforme?
These investments are not for everyone. If you’re still building an emergency fund, paying off high-interest debt, or lack experience managing risk, it’s best to stick with traditional options.
However, for more advanced or curious investors looking to diversify 5–10% of their portfolio into alternatives, these platforms can offer valuable exposure. They allow you to directly support entrepreneurs, gain access to property deals, or earn passive income via loan repayments.
One approach is to invest small amounts across multiple projects. Most platforms allow minimums as low as €50–€ 250, enabling instant diversification.
Strategie intelligenti per i nuovi arrivati
If you’re interested in trying out crowdfunding or lending platforms:
- Iniziare in piccolo e diversificare – Spread your investment across many loans or projects to reduce the impact of any single failure.
- Rimanere su piattaforme regolamentate – Check if the platform is supervised by financial authorities.
- Comprendere le spese e le tasse – Some platforms charge upfront or ongoing fees. In Italy, profits are usually taxed at 26%, just like capital gains from stocks.
- Siate pazienti – Returns typically take 1–5 years to materialize. Don’t expect quick wins.
- Prestazioni del tracciato – Most platforms offer dashboards to monitor interest, repayments, and portfolio performance.
Perché le alternative meritano un posto nella conversazione
In 2025, the average investor has more tools than ever before. Crowdfunding and lending platforms are part of this new wave of democratized finance. They offer a chance to explore beyond stocks and bonds, support innovation, and potentially boost returns. But they require a mindset shift—from liquid markets to patient capital, and from passive investing to hands-on evaluation.
Used wisely and in moderation, they can enrich a portfolio and provide valuable exposure to sectors and stories you won’t find on the S&P 500. The key is education, due diligence, and a clear sense of your own risk tolerance.
Investing isn’t just about chasing returns—it’s about building a portfolio that reflects your goals, values, and appetite for volatility. Crowdfunding and P2P lending won’t replace traditional investing, but they can be a compelling piece of the puzzle for a modern, diversified financial plan.
