Several large brand companies operate on the basis of this concept, for example: Avon (cosmetics company), Mary Kay (perfume), Faberlic (cosmetics and household chemicals).
Our company realizes this concept through agency agreements, and the goods (service) are debt lots, i.e. a set of rights (claims) on monetary obligations.
The key difference between a financial pyramid and an MLM company is that a pyramid scheme has no goods/services. Since the activity is based on accepting money from people under promises of income, which is paid solely from new income from newly joined clients. I.e. the financial pyramid does not conduct any economic activity.
In our case, our business activities are - receivables collection services. We offer our customers what they have the right to purchase from any other individual or legal entity: the right of claim and at the same time we collect on this claim. The money received from the debtors' monetary obligations is the buyer's income => the buyer's income is not formed from the cash receipts of other persons (new buyers).
Thus, the listed features distinguish the MLM system realized by our company from the financial pyramid.