Four popular ways Malaysians grow their money, side by side. See how returns, risk, liquidity and protection differ so you can decide what fits your goals.
Figures are indicative and dated July 2026. P2P notes and ECF shares are not bank deposits, capital is at risk, and past performance does not guarantee future returns.
A quick reference across the dimensions that matter most when choosing where to put your money.
| What matters | Alixco P2P FinancingRecommended | Fixed Deposit | ASB | Equity Crowdfunding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical return per year | About 12% historical net from 2018 to 2023, varies by campaign | About 2% to 3%, fixed and guaranteed | 5.75 sen per unit for FY2025, about 5.75%, not guaranteed | No fixed return, potential upside on a future exit |
| Capital protection | Capital at risk, not guaranteed | Principal guaranteed by the bank | Historically preserved, but not guaranteed | Capital at high risk |
| Regulation and protection | Regulated RMO, funds trustee held until disbursement, not PIDM | Bank regulated, insured by PIDM up to RM250,000 | Managed by PNB, not insured by PIDM | Regulated RMO, not PIDM |
| Liquidity | Low, hold to maturity, no secondary market | Low to medium, early withdrawal reduces interest | High, redeem units any time | Very low, illiquid until an exit |
| Time horizon | Months up to about 3 years, set per campaign | 1 to 60 months, you choose | Open ended | Long term, years until an exit |
| Minimum to start | Low, set per campaign | Typically from RM1,000 | Low, priced per unit | Low, set per campaign |
| Who can invest | Open to all eligible investors | Anyone with a bank account | Bumiputera investors | Open to all eligible investors |
| Best suited for | Higher yield through diversification, accepting credit risk | Capital safety and predictable income | Eligible savers wanting steady returns | Backing growth companies for long term upside |
Sources and notes. Alixco P2P return is the historical average net investor return from 2018 to 2023 and is not a forecast. Fixed deposit rates reflect Malaysian board rates as of 2026 and are insured by PIDM up to RM250,000. ASB distributed 5.75 sen per unit for FY2025 and is open to Bumiputera investors. Equity crowdfunding has no fixed return. Capital is at risk for P2P and ECF. These are not bank deposits and are not protected by PIDM.
The same four instruments, with what they do well and what to watch out for.
You lend to vetted Malaysian SMEs alongside other investors and are repaid principal plus interest over a fixed tenure. Higher potential return than a deposit, in exchange for taking on credit risk.
A bank product that pays a fixed rate for locking money away for a set term. The benchmark for safety, your principal and interest are insured.
A PNB unit trust open to Bumiputera investors, known for stable annual distributions and easy redemption. Capital has historically been preserved, though it is not guaranteed.
You buy shares in an early stage company and become a part owner. The biggest potential upside of the four, but also the highest risk and the least liquidity.
Many investors combine these to balance safety, income and growth.
Hold an emergency buffer in a fixed deposit or ASB so short term needs never force you to sell a longer term investment.
Allocate a portion you can afford to risk to P2P financing, spread across many campaigns to cushion the impact of any single default.
Use a small, long horizon slice for equity crowdfunding, knowing it is illiquid and that some companies will not succeed.
This page is general information, not financial advice. P2P notes and ECF shares are not bank deposits, are not protected by PIDM, and your capital is at risk. Returns shown are historical or indicative and do not guarantee future performance. Consider your own circumstances and diversify.
They serve different goals. A fixed deposit protects your capital and pays a fixed return of roughly 2% to 3% per annum that is insured by PIDM. P2P financing on Alixco has historically paid higher returns, about 12% per annum net from 2018 to 2023, but your capital is at risk, returns are not guaranteed, and P2P notes are not bank deposits and are not protected by PIDM. Many investors hold both, a deposit for safety and P2P for a higher yielding and higher risk portion.
In P2P financing you lend money to an SME and are repaid the principal plus interest over a fixed tenure. In equity crowdfunding you buy shares in a company and become a part owner. There is no fixed repayment, and your return depends on the company growing and a future exit such as a sale or buyback. ECF has higher potential upside but also higher risk and is highly illiquid. Both are regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Alixco is registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia as a Recognised Market Operator, investor funds for P2P campaigns are held by a licensed trustee until disbursement, and every issuer passes credit due diligence. Even so, P2P notes and ECF shares are not bank deposits, capital is at risk, and past performance does not guarantee future returns. Diversifying across many campaigns is the main way investors manage this risk.
Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) is a unit trust open to Bumiputera investors that distributed 5.75 sen per unit for financial year 2025, about 5.75%, with capital that has historically been preserved though not guaranteed. Alixco P2P is open to all investors and has historically paid a higher return, about 12% per annum net from 2018 to 2023, in exchange for taking on credit risk on the underlying SMEs. ASB is not insured by PIDM either. The trade off is return potential versus the level of risk you accept.
Browse live, regulated campaigns and start diversifying from a low minimum, or read the FAQ first.