Robocash Analysis

Robocash is an automated debt investment platform based in Croatia. It is an integral part of UnaFinancial’s financial holding, which is headquartered in Singapore. The holding owns and controls several loan originators in various European and Asian countries. Robocash re-sells short-term commercial and consumer loans from these loan originators. Since its launch in 2017, the platform has attracted over 37,660 registered investors and facilitated more than €912 million in investments.^[1] In the past 12 months, Robocash has funded €265.98 million, averaging €22.16 million per month.^[2]

• Robocash offers investments in short-term commercial and consumer loans, originating from the group’s loan originators, with a minimum investment starting at €10.
• Investments are unsecured, although the platform offers a 30-day buyback guarantee.
• The debt investments offer interest rates ranging from 8% to 13%, but the platform does not disclose its historical rates for delays and defaults.

Robocash operates as a platform that connects investors across the European Union, the UK, and Switzerland with loan originators based in Spain, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and the Philippines, offering investment opportunities in short-term commercial and consumer loans. The platform is not regulated under any financial services license. All investments on Robocash are automated, meaning investors cannot select loans manually. The platform offers investments up to €1,300, with a minimum investment starting at €10. The investments are categorized into three types:

• Past-due loans (PDL): Consumer loans issued by the group’s loan originator in Spain.
• Consumer loans: Consumer loans issued by the loan originator in the Philippines.
• Commercial loans: Commercial loans from loan originators in Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and Singapore.

The debt investment duration extends up to 3 years. Robocash provides loans structured as bullet loans with payment at maturity. For loans with a term of 90 days or more, interest income is distributed monthly.^[3] While these loans are not secured, they are backed by a 30-day buyback guarantee.^[4] This means that if a borrower fails to repay the loan on time, the loan originator is obligated to refund the investment within 30 days after the due date. Investment returns are taxed for capital gains. Robocash handles payments, but investors must report taxes to comply with their respective country of residence. The platform includes a secondary market where investors can sell their investments to others. Currently, this process generally takes 3-7 days. There are no fees for accessing the secondary market.^[5]

Robocash offers effective annual interest rates ranging from 8% to 13%.^[6] However, the platform does not disclose information regarding delay or default rates. Investors are not charged any fees. Details about fees for borrowers are not provided but vary according to the loan originators’ conditions. Robocash does not generate revenue directly from its platform activities; instead, it serves as an interface for connecting to loans originated by loan originators under the UnaFinancial group.

Sergey Sedov is the founder and CEO of UnaFinancial and Robocash, with 17 years of experience in business management, marketplace lending, real estate, commerce, and production. Paul Valin is one of the Board members who joined in 2016 to drive the company’s expansion in Asia, bringing over 15 years of experience in investment banking and corporate finance. The team also includes Ivan Adamovich as CFO, Janis Bogdasarovs as Chief Legal Officer, Valentin Kobzev as Chief Marketing Officer, and Nadezhda Vlasenko as Robocash platform product owner.

The platform is incorporated in Croatia as Robocash d.o.o., as a subsidiary of UnaFinancial, the holding company registered in Singapore under Robocash PTE Ltd. The shares of Robocash PTE Ltd are wholly owned by SIA Robocash Group, a Latvian company, with Sergey Sedov serving as the sole shareholder and beneficiary.^[7]

UnaFinancial, the parent company of Robocash, reported a net profit of $4.7 million for the first half of 2024, reflecting an 18% year-on-year increase. The group’s revenue grew by 10% to $102.1 million, with disbursement volumes up by 23% to $358.6 million. Loan issuance in the Philippines and Kazakhstan saw significant growth, rising by 20% and 27%, respectively.^[8]

Most recently, the company was recognized with the Singapore Business Award for Best Financial Services Firm 2023.^[9]