The 60-second version
Debitum is a Riga-based P2P lending platform that holds a MiFID II investment-firm licence from Latvijas Banka, which brings the up-to-EUR-20,000 investor compensation scheme on eligible claims - though no scheme covers borrower defaults, only operational failures. The platform launched in 2017 and offers SME notes with an advertised yield around 11.4 percent, a EUR 10 minimum deposit and auto-invest. Despite the licence, an independent investigation published in 2026 raised questions about related-network concentration - meaning a significant share of loans appeared to flow through entities with ownership or management ties to the platform - and documented five CEO changes in three years, which suggests governance instability. Those findings push Debitum into the Better skipped group with a 1.6-star rating out of 5.0, reflecting weak scores on delivery track record, transparency and exit clarity.
How the five checks scored
Every platform on this site earns a star rating from 0 to 5.0 by passing five equal checks, each worth 20 percent. Debitum scores 1.6 stars because three checks falter while two carry partial credit.
1. Investor protection
3.0 / 5.0The MiFID II licence issued by Latvijas Banka is genuine and brings the investor compensation scheme covering up to EUR 20,000 per investor in the event of platform insolvency or operational failure - though the scheme never covers borrower defaults. This check earns 60 percent credit because the licence itself is solid, but concentration risks documented in 2026 undermine the practical value of that protection.
2. Delivery track record
1.0 / 5.0An independent investigation published in 2026 flagged material concentration in the loan book, with a significant proportion of notes flowing through entities linked to the platform's ownership or management network. That concentration introduces single-point-of-failure risk and raises questions about arm's-length underwriting. Five CEO changes in three years compound the delivery concern by signalling governance instability at board level. This check scores 20 percent.
3. Honest yields
3.0 / 5.0Debitum advertises approximately 11.4 percent on SME notes. Auto-invest is available, and the EUR 10 minimum lowers the entry threshold. In the absence of published realised-yield data and given the concentration findings, this check awards 60 percent - the advertised figure appears plausible, but transparency gaps prevent full credit.
4. Transparency
1.0 / 5.0The investigation findings and leadership churn sit at the heart of this check. Five CEOs in three years suggests either operational stress or strategic drift, neither of which builds investor confidence. The related-network concentration was not proactively disclosed in a manner that allowed investors to quantify the exposure before the external report appeared. This check scores 20 percent.
5. Exit options
1.0 / 5.0There is no public record of an active secondary market on Debitum, and the platform has not published liquidity statistics or withdrawal timelines. In light of the concentration and governance questions, exit clarity remains weak. This check scores 20 percent.
Concerns
- Related-network concentration flagged by independent researchers in 2026
- Five CEO changes in three years signal governance instability
- No clear secondary market or published withdrawal data
- Transparency gaps around related-party disclosures
Strengths
- MiFID II licence from Latvijas Banka is valid and brings up to EUR 20,000 compensation on eligible claims
- EUR 10 minimum and auto-invest lower the entry threshold
How investing works here
Register and verify
Open an account on the Debitum website and complete identity verification. The MiFID II licence requires know-your-customer checks before you can deposit.
Deposit funds
The minimum is EUR 10. Transfer by bank or card; processing time varies by payment method.
Choose notes or enable auto-invest
Browse the SME loan notes on the marketplace or enable the auto-invest tool, which spreads capital across multiple loans according to your risk and return preferences.
Monitor repayments
Borrowers repay according to the loan schedule; principal and interest flow back to your account. Given the concentration findings, watch for any unusual patterns in repayment or originator performance.
Withdraw or reinvest
Redeploy proceeds into new notes or request a withdrawal. Exit clarity remains weak, so confirm processing times before committing large amounts.
Who it suits - and who should pass
Pass if you want governance stability, arm's-length loan origination or a platform rated 3.5 stars or higher. The investigation findings and leadership churn introduce material uncertainty that most retail investors will prefer to avoid.
Consider only if you have prior exposure to Debitum, understand the related-network concentration in detail, and are prepared to accept the risk that further governance changes or originator failures could materially impact returns. Even then, new capital is better deployed elsewhere.
Against the alternatives
| Platform | Stars | Yield | Minimum | Licence | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debitum | 1.6 ★ | ~11.4% | EUR 10 | MiFID II | Investigation flagged concentration and governance churn |
| Capitalia | 4.2 ★★★★ | ~10.5% | EUR 200 | ECSP | EUR 15M InvestEU/EIF guarantee on Baltic SME loans |
| Mintos | 4.4 ★★★★ | 9-11% | EUR 50 | MiFID II | EUR 600M+ AUM, active secondary market, nine-year track record |
Both Capitalia and Mintos offer comparable or slightly lower yields with stronger governance, clearer exit routes and materially higher star ratings. If you want Baltic SME exposure, Capitalia brings the InvestEU guarantee; if you want marketplace breadth, Mintos delivers EUR 600 million in assets under management and a liquid secondary market.
Frequently asked questions
Debitum holds a MiFID II investment-firm licence issued by Latvijas Banka, which brings the up-to-EUR-20,000 investor compensation scheme on eligible claims - though the scheme never covers borrower defaults, only operational failures. The licence itself remains valid.
An independent investigation published in 2026 raised questions about related-network concentration - meaning a significant share of loans appeared to flow through entities with ownership or management ties to the platform. The same report documented five CEO changes in three years, which suggests governance instability.
Debitum advertises approximately 11.4 percent annual yield on SME notes. The platform offers an auto-invest feature and a EUR 10 minimum deposit, both designed to lower the entry threshold for retail investors.
The 1.6-star rating reflects weak scores across three of the five checks: delivery track record suffers from the concentration concerns; transparency falters on the governance churn and related-party disclosures; and exit options remain unclear during the ongoing review. Only the licence check and advertised-yield alignment carry partial credit.
A 1.6-star rating places Debitum in the Better skipped group. The investigation findings and leadership turnover introduce material uncertainty that most retail investors will prefer to avoid. Platforms rated 3.5 stars or higher offer clearer governance and track records.
Final take
Debitum holds a genuine MiFID II licence from Latvijas Banka and advertises an 11.4 percent yield on SME notes with a EUR 10 minimum and auto-invest. That regulatory badge alone is not enough to overcome the 2026 investigation findings: related-network concentration and five CEO changes in three years introduce material governance and single-point-of-failure risk. The 1.6-star rating reflects weak scores on delivery, transparency and exit options. Investors looking for Baltic SME exposure will find stronger alternatives at Capitalia (4.2 stars, InvestEU guarantee) or broader marketplace diversification at Mintos (4.4 stars, EUR 600 million AUM). For most retail investors, Debitum sits in the Better skipped group until governance stabilises and concentration questions resolve.
P2P lending puts your capital at risk. Returns are never guaranteed, platforms can fail, and no compensation scheme covers borrower defaults. This review reflects editorial opinion as of January 2026 and will be refreshed monthly. See how we rate.