Cash Flash Loan Basics and How to Get One

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Cash Flash loans are a type of short-term loan that can provide quick access to cash.

These loans are typically offered by online lenders and can be approved within minutes. They often have higher interest rates compared to traditional loans.

You can borrow between $100 and $5,000 with a Cash Flash loan, depending on the lender's requirements.

The repayment period usually ranges from 3 to 24 months, giving you time to pay back the loan amount.

What is a Cash Flash Loan?

A cash flash loan is borrowed for a very short timeframe, usually 24 – 48 hours.

It's often used by real estate wholesalers to buy a property at a discounted price and then sell it the same day to an end-buyer who pays a higher price.

The end buyer's funds are used to pay back the flash cash loan immediately after they receive the sale proceeds.

This type of loan is only used when both closings are scheduled back-to-back, so the money is paid back almost immediately.

Paying With Cash
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Access to this kind of short-term financing allows a real estate wholesaler to buy and sell a property very quickly without using their own money.

Without access to same-day funding, the wholesaler would have to close by assigning the contract, using their own cash, or finding another source of loan proceeds.

Getting a Cash Flash Loan

To get a cash flash loan, you'll need to have an end-buyer under contract with proof of their funds to complete the transaction. This is a non-negotiable requirement for most lenders.

The lender may also pull a credit report and perform background checks on you to verify your creditworthiness. They'll want to ensure you don't have any outstanding collections or judgments against you.

A desktop valuation of the property and photos of the interior and exterior may also be required. This helps the lender assess the property's value and condition.

To qualify for a cash flash loan, you'll need to meet the standard 5 C's of Credit. This includes having a good credit score, sufficient collateral, a stable income, a manageable debt-to-income ratio, and a clear credit history.

Person Counting Cash Money
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If the end-buyer fails to close on the transaction, the lender may take corrective action. This could include requiring you to refinance your loan with a traditional lender.

Here are some possible outcomes if you're unable to pay back the loan:

  • Requiring you to refinance your short-term loan with a traditional lender.
  • Taking possession of the property and rehabbing and reselling it.
  • Wholesaling the property to another borrower and charging an origination fee and interest.

The lender's primary goal is to be paid back immediately, as agreed. To achieve this, they'll typically push for a conventional lender to refinance the debt.

Risks and Considerations

Flash cash loans can be a quick fix, but they come with some significant risks.

Most lenders require full repayment within 1-3 days, which can be a tight squeeze for borrowers.

If the deal doesn't close in the agreed-upon timeframe, additional fees and interest can add up quickly.

Some title companies and end-buyer lenders may not be willing to work with flash cash funding, which can limit your options.

Here are some potential pitfalls to consider:

  • Short repayment terms (1-3 days)
  • Additional fees and interest if the deal doesn't close on time
  • Unwillingness of some lenders to work with flash cash funding

What's the Cost?

The cost of flash cash can be a significant factor to consider. Flash cash lenders typically charge a flat fee of 1% – 2.5% of the loan amount.

Hand Holding Cash
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This fee can add up quickly, especially for larger loan amounts. For example, if an investor borrows $100,000, the cost of the loan could be $2,000.

Interest rates can also vary, with some lenders charging annualized interest of 12%. This means that the investor would owe $32.85 per day in interest on a $100,000 loan.

Some lenders skip the interest and charge a flat "transaction fee" instead. This fee is usually paid at closing.

The cost of flash cash can be a major consideration, especially for investors who need to cover 100% of the purchase price.

Disadvantages

Flash cash funding may have its advantages, but it's also essential to consider the potential downsides.

The short-term nature of flash cash loans can be a significant disadvantage. Most lenders require full repayment within 1 – 3 days.

Some title companies and end-buyer lenders may not be willing to work with this type of funding. This can limit your options and make it harder to find a lender.

Credit: youtube.com, Disadvantages of Being Risk Taker

If the deal doesn't close in the agreed-upon timeframe, additional fees and interest can get expensive. This can quickly add up and become a significant burden.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when considering flash cash funding:

  • Repayment terms are typically short, ranging from 1 – 3 days.
  • Some lenders may not be willing to work with flash cash transactions.
  • Additional fees and interest can be incurred if the deal doesn't close on time.

Check Carefully Lender's Meaning

Be careful not to get misled by terms like "flash" and "instant" when it comes to transactional lending. These terms imply quick funding, but in reality, lenders need time to ensure they're not taking a risk.

A "flash" of light takes a millisecond, but transactional lending can't happen that fast. The lender has to verify the end-buyer's funds are in place before closing.

Lenders shouldn't ask for extensive documentation like a driver's license, passport, or property value. They only need to know the end-buyer's funds are in place when it's time to close.

Knowledgeable lenders know that hard money lenders are notorious for changing loan amounts or requiring more funds at closing. This can lead to delays or even deal killers.

A Person Holding Bundles of Cash Money
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It's in the investor's interest to keep marketing their wholesale deal and take backup contracts to mitigate these risks. This strategy also helps build their buyer's list for future deals.

If a cash buyer offers less than a hard money borrower, the investor should take the cash offer and try to negotiate a better deal.

Reducing Hacking Risks

Reducing hacking risks is crucial in the DeFi space. Circuit breakers can be used to temporarily halt protocols when there are unusually large price movements or outflows, allowing hacks to be stopped early.

This method can be particularly effective in preventing flash loan attacks, which can have devastating consequences for cryptocurrency participants. It's a simple yet powerful tool in our arsenal against hacking risks.

By implementing circuit breakers, DeFi platforms can significantly reduce the risk of catastrophic events like the Euler hack. This proactive approach can provide a sense of security and stability to users, making them more confident in the ecosystem.

Euler Finance Attack and Its Impact

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The Euler Finance attack was a significant blow to the DeFi space, with hackers stealing a whopping near-$200 million worth of cryptocurrency.

On March 13, 2023, Euler Finance was the victim of a flash loan attack, making it the largest DeFi hack of the year so far.

The attack was made possible by a liquidity issue in the DonateToReserve function of the eToken, which led to an incorrect conversion of borrowed assets to collateralized assets.

Euler's hacker took advantage of these inconsistencies to create a false impression that the platform had a low amount of deposited eTokens and fake debt.

The hacker received initial funding from the sanctioned mixer Tornado Cash for gas fees and to create the contracts used in the exploit.

The hacker then initiated a flash loan to borrow around $30 million in DAI from the DeFi protocol Aave, and deposited $20 million of that DAI into Euler's platform.

Close-up of a financial transaction involving cash and receipts over a coffee table.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a financial transaction involving cash and receipts over a coffee table.

Euler lost roughly $197 million worth of cryptocurrency, spread across DAI, wBTC, stETH, and USDC, in the attack.

The hacker's primary personal wallet received most of the funds, regardless of which entity executed which transactions, as the hacker hardcoded their lending contract.

Euler's native token, EUL, declined more than 45% in the aftermath of the attack.

The effects of flash loan attacks like this one highlight the ongoing threats to widely used DeFi protocols and the potential hacking abuses opened up by flash loans.

Executing a Loan on Ethereum

Executing a loan on Ethereum involves creating a smart contract that defines the loan terms. This contract is triggered by a flash loan, which is a type of loan that's collateralized by the borrower's ability to repay it.

The borrower must repay the loan in full, plus interest, within a short time frame, typically between 1-60 seconds. If they fail to do so, the contract automatically liquidates their assets.

The interest rate for flash loans is typically around 0.09 ETH per block, which can add up quickly due to the short repayment time frame.

Executing a Loan on Ethereum using Smart Contracts

Credit: youtube.com, Ethereum Smart Contract to Execute a Flash Loan - (TICK INCLUDE NIGHTLY BUILDS) before compiling

A flash cash loan on Ethereum can be executed using smart contracts, which can automate the loan process and ensure all parties are bound by the agreement.

The process typically follows the same steps as a traditional flash cash loan, but with the added security and transparency of blockchain technology.

To execute a loan on Ethereum, you'll need to find a motivated seller and agree on a below-market purchase price, just like in a traditional flash cash loan.

The loan is secured by a smart contract that automates the loan process, ensuring that the borrower repays the loan from the proceeds of the sale.

Here's a breakdown of the steps involved in executing a loan on Ethereum:

The borrower secures the loan by signing a new purchase agreement with the end-buyer, and the loan is repaid when the sale is complete.

The use of smart contracts ensures that all parties are bound by the agreement, and the loan is executed in a transparent and secure manner.

Step 4

Man in Santa Hat Sitting on Chair Counting Money
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To deploy the flash loan contract, you'll need to open your MetaMask and set your network to the Kovan Test Network.

Next, define the dependencies for flash loan smart contracts.

Switch to the Solidity compiler tab and set the compiler to 0.6.6.

Click on Compile FlashLoan.sol to start the compilation process.

Smart Contract Development and Integration

We develop Solidity smart contracts for the execution of flash loans, which automate the process and specify their execution terms.

These smart contracts are designed to execute flash loans seamlessly, making the process efficient and reliable.

With our expertise in smart contract development, we ensure that the integration of flash loans into your existing systems is smooth and hassle-free.

Smart Contract Development

We develop Solidity smart contracts for the execution of flash loans. These contracts automate the process and specify the terms.

Our smart contracts are designed to handle the complexities of flash loans, ensuring a seamless and secure experience.

Woman Counting Money with Calculator
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We automate the execution of flash loans by specifying their terms in the smart contract. This eliminates the need for manual intervention and reduces the risk of errors.

Our expertise in Solidity smart contract development enables us to create custom solutions for clients. For more flash loan-related development, connect with our DeFi experts.

How Can LeewayHertz Help with System Integration?

LeewayHertz can help with system integration by providing a range of services including API integration, data mapping, and testing.

With their expertise in blockchain development, they can ensure seamless integration with various blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum and Hyperledger.

Their team of experienced developers can design and implement custom integrations that meet the specific needs of your project.

LeewayHertz can also help with integrating your smart contract with external systems, such as databases and payment gateways.

Their expertise in DevOps and CI/CD pipelines ensures that the integration process is efficient and reliable.

By leveraging their knowledge of blockchain and integration technologies, LeewayHertz can help you build a robust and scalable system that meets your business needs.

Core Concepts and Opportunities

Positive senior businessman typing on laptop while holding money in hand
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The concept of cash flash loans is built on the idea of increased capital efficiency. This is made possible by the removal of collateralization requirements, which is a departure from the conventional banking system.

In the conventional system, borrowers are often required to put down collateral that exceeds the loan's value, limiting access to financial services. This restriction is eliminated in flash loans, which supposedly remove default risk.

Flash loans are designed to provide borrowers with access to larger loan opportunities, as they don't require the same level of collateral as traditional loans.

Increased Capital Efficiency Without Collateral

In the conventional banking system, obtaining a loan necessitates the deposit of some form of security.

Most DeFi methods require borrowers to put down collateral that is more than the loan's value.

This restricts the majority of financial services and limits the size of a potential opportunity for a borrower.

Flash loans supposedly remove default risk, making it unnecessary to back them up with collateral.

As a result, borrowers can access more capital without being held back by traditional collateralization requirements.

Core Use Cases, Challenges, and Opportunities

A Man Counting Cash while Leaning on a Car
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The core use cases for this technology include automating repetitive tasks, improving data analysis, and enhancing decision-making processes.

One of the key challenges is the need for high-quality data, which can be difficult to obtain and maintain.

This technology can be applied to various industries, including healthcare, finance, and education.

The biggest opportunity lies in its potential to increase efficiency and productivity, freeing up resources for more strategic and creative pursuits.

However, the technology also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for ongoing training and upskilling.

Its ability to learn and adapt quickly makes it an attractive solution for businesses looking to stay ahead of the competition.

But it also requires careful consideration of issues like bias and transparency in its decision-making processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you don't pay back a flash loan?

If you don't repay a flash loan within the same transaction, it will fail and not go through. The loan will not be processed if repayment is not made in the initial transaction.

George Murphy

Senior Assigning Editor

George Murphy serves as a seasoned Assigning Editor, overseeing a wide range of financial articles. His expertise lies in high-frequency trading strategies, where he provides in-depth analysis and insights to his readers. Under his guidance, the publication has garnered recognition for its authoritative and forward-looking coverage in the financial sector.

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