First On-Chain Student Loan of $1 Million Completed from Funding to Repayment

Digital FinanceProduct / Tech
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Summary · why it matters

Pencil Finance, a student loan RWA protocol, announced on September 3 that it has completed a $1 million student loan entirely on-chain, from funding to repayment and return of principal and yield to investors. According to an official announcement from Animoca Brands, all steps were recorded on the blockchain, allowing investors to verify repayment status and performance. Pencil Finance claims this is the first time a student loan cycle has been fully completed on-chain. The loan funds were provided in July 2025 by Animoca Brands, Web3 education protocol Open Campus, and Singapore-based education company NewCampus. The funds were structured into a senior tranche with fixed returns and a junior tranche with variable returns that bears losses first. Most of the funds were used for student loans in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia, through education lender ErudiFi. Over the past 12 months, it supported loans to more than 6,600 students across 118 schools and universities, with an estimated 1,050 students receiving direct funding from Pencil Finance. Among ErudiFi's overall borrowers, 93% come from low-income households, and 52% were using formal credit for the first time. Additionally, 90% of borrowers reported an improved quality of life. Pencil Finance is a protocol co-incubated by Animoca Brands and HackQuest, operating on EDU Chain, which is specialized for the education sector.

Impact on stocks 0

Theme Impact 1

Off-coverage companies 5

Pencil FinancePrivate▲ Positive
Technologyrelevance

Pencil Finance completed the first fully on-chain student loan cycle from funding to repayment, a protocol milestone.

Animoca BrandsPrivate▲ Positive
Capitalrelevance

Animoca Brands provided the $1M loan funding and co-incubated Pencil Finance, and the completed on-chain repayment validates its investment.

ErudiFiPrivate▲ Positive
Demandrelevance

ErudiFi originated the student loans, supporting 6,600+ students across 118 schools with the Pencil Finance funds.

NewCampusPrivate▲ Positive
Capitalrelevance

NewCampus was one of the funders of the $1M loan that completed its full on-chain repayment cycle.

HackQuestPrivate± Mixed
relevance

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