Clearpool (CPOOL)

Institutional Lending and Borrowing

Clearpool is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that allows institutional borrowers to access unsecured liquidity through permissionless liquidity pools. It connects institutional borrowers with decentralized lenders, enabling borrowing without the need for overcollateralization. Borrowers are assessed via credit risk tools, and lenders earn dynamic interest rates based on demand and borrower risk.

Token Utility and Governance

The native token, CPOOL, is used for governance, staking, and liquidity provision. Token holders can stake CPOOL to participate in protocol governance, vote on proposals, and influence platform development. Staking also helps mitigate risk and rewards lenders with additional tokens, enhancing pool interest rates.

Capital Market Innovation

Clearpool introduces single-borrower liquidity pools and tokenized credit, allowing lenders to monitor and manage risks in real-time. It offers a dynamic marketplace for institutional unsecured capital, bridging traditional finance and DeFi by combining credit market concepts with blockchain benefits.

Real-World Asset Integration

Clearpool facilitates deals involving real-world assets (RWAs), increasing on-chain liquidity and connecting traditional capital markets with the DeFi ecosystem. This helps institutions access capital more efficiently and transparently.

Additional Features

• Dynamic interest rates based on pool utilization and borrower risk.
• LP tokens (cpTokens) represent principal and interest, are transferable and programmable.
• Permissioned pools allow customized onboarding of lenders.
• A buyback program supports token value and rewards.

Clearpool provides a platform for institutional lending and borrowing with transparency, flexibility, and decentralized governance, making it a unique solution in the DeFi space.

Advantages

• Clearpool enables institutional borrowing without over-collateralization, making it easier for institutions to access capital.
• It offers a decentralized credit marketplace connecting institutions to on-chain liquidity for unsecured loans.
• The protocol features dynamic interest rates that adjust based on market conditions and borrower demand.
• Clearpool integrates with real-world credit platforms for better credit risk management.
• The platform supports tokenized credit and real-world payment infrastructure, including stablecoin-settled payments like remittances.
• CPOOL token holders can participate in governance by voting to whitelist borrowers and earn rewards.
• Partnerships with projects like Velodrome and PropChain expand its ecosystem and real-world asset yield opportunities.
• Clearpool has shown operational growth with increasing loan volumes and institutional adoption.
• The platform offers staking and liquidity provision options for token holders.

Disadvantages

• Clearpool’s token price has experienced significant volatility, including a 74% drop over 90 days and underperformance compared to other Ethereum ecosystem tokens.
• The market for Clearpool is relatively small, making it susceptible to large price swings caused by major holders ("whales").
• The token’s utility design faces some challenges, as indicated by a disconnect between operational growth and token price performance.
• Broader adoption depends on macroeconomic conditions and regulatory clarity around stablecoins.
• The price has declined recently, reflecting market uncertainties and crypto fear sentiment.
• The platform and token are relatively new, with ongoing development and adoption still in progress.

Founders

Clearpool was founded by Robert Alcorn (Co-Founder & CEO), Jakob Kronbichler (Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer), and Alessio Quaglini (Co-Founder & Senior Advisor).

Backgrounds

Robert Alcorn is a CFA and former trader at an investment bank. Jakob Kronbichler has experience as a commercial director at Aspire, a leading digital neobank in Southeast Asia. Alessio Quaglini is CEO of Hex Trust, a digital asset custodian in Asia.

Industry Experience

The founders come from traditional finance, fintech, internet, and blockchain industries, bringing a mix of expertise to Clearpool’s decentralized credit marketplace.

Leading Venture Capital Investors

Clearpool is backed by top venture capital firms including Sequoia Capital India, Arrington Capital, Sino Global Capital, HashKey, Wintermute, Hex Trust, Huobi Ventures, Kenetic, GBV Capital, FBG Capital, Folkvang, BCW Group, and AscendEX.

Crypto and Blockchain-Focused Investors

In addition to traditional VCs, Clearpool has support from blockchain-focused investors such as Arrington XRP Capital, Parachain Ventures, Peak XV Partners, and Drops Ventures.

Total Investor Base

Clearpool has raised funding from around 25 investors in total, including both traditional finance and crypto-specialized firms.

Notable Investor Highlights

• Sequoia Capital India is a key early investor and partner.
• Arrington Capital has led funding rounds.
• Wintermute and HashKey are also prominent backers.
• Other investors include Aria Group, BCW Ventures, and GBV Capital.

These investors help Clearpool build its decentralized capital markets ecosystem and support its mission to enable uncollateralized lending in DeFi.

Halal Status of Clearpool

Clearpool is primarily involved in interest-based lending and borrowing, which is a key concern from an Islamic finance perspective because interest (riba) is not permissible in Shariah law. Since Clearpool’s core business model revolves around interest-based transactions, it is generally considered not halal.