Adult content creators are increasingly flocking to decentralized alternatives to platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon. These creators are seeking greater control and financial security in the face of payment challenges and the constant fear of being de-platformed. Web3 technology, with its promise of empowering content creators and diminishing the role of intermediaries, is providing them with a solution.
Leon Lee, the founder and CEO of Only1, a decentralized version of OnlyFans, believes that a power shift is occurring from intermediaries to content creators thanks to Web3. In a recent interview, he stated, “The role of intermediaries is diminishing while the role and earnings of creators are increasing.” Lee attributes this shift to the desire of content creators to overcome the obstacles they face on traditional platforms.
One notable challenge creators have faced on centralized platforms is payment-related issues. In August, Patreon creators encountered difficulties withdrawing their earnings due to payments being flagged as fraudulent by banks. Additionally, OnlyFans made headlines in 2021 when it attempted to ban sexually explicit content, sparking backlash from creators and users. These incidents highlight the risks creators face on centralized platforms that rely on traditional payment systems.
To overcome these challenges and maximize their earning potential, content creators are turning to decentralized platforms that leverage blockchain technology. Only1, launched on the Solana blockchain in March 2023 with the support of Animoca Brands, is one example. It offers a decentralized crypto-centric approach to adult subscription platforms. Other platforms, including WetSpace, Proof of Peach, SEXN, and Keyhole, are also operating in the Web3 space, catering to adult entertainment creators.
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Even creators on OnlyFans are exploring decentralized alternatives. Friend.tech, a decentralized social media platform built on Coinbase’s layer-2 network Base, has gained traction among creators looking to monetize their content without being subject to censorship rules imposed by centralized intermediaries.
Leon Lee predicts a mass migration of creators from centralized platforms to decentralized alternatives as more individuals become disillusioned with censorship rules. He believes creators are waking up to the fact that they can be less dependent on intermediaries to monetize their content. While TV producers, advertisers, and brands will still play a role in the creator economy, Lee sees a peer-to-peer payment infrastructure based on blockchain as the logical next step, calling it the “inevitable future and the unrealized potential of blockchain technology.”
The allure of Web3 technology extends beyond adult content creators. Despite setbacks caused by the 2022 crypto crash, Web3 continues to intrigue marketers, particularly in the activewear and luxury brand sectors. Companies like Nike and Adidas have already integrated blockchain technology into their loyalty programs and built communities around it. Nike’s .Swoosh community, launched in November 2022, allows members to engage in online and real-world activations, interact with Nike athletes and creatives, and use virtual Nike gear in games.
In conclusion, adult content creators are embracing decentralized alternatives to platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon to overcome payment challenges and the fear of being de-platformed. Web3 technology offers them greater control and financial security, leading to a power shift from intermediaries to creators. Platforms such as Only1, WetSpace, and Friend.tech are catering to content creators in the adult entertainment industry, leveraging blockchain technology to provide a decentralized and censorship-resistant environment. The adoption of Web3 technology is not limited to adult content creators; it is intriguing marketers in various sectors, including activewear and luxury brands. As the potential of blockchain technology continues to be realized, we can expect more creators and brands to explore the opportunities offered by the decentralized Web3 ecosystem.
