Porn-driven OnlyFans could sell for billions despite ‘filth factor'
London-based OnlyFans is reportedly in discussions to sell for as much as $8 billion (€7bn), Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources.
The internet content service, widely known for being popular with sex workers, despite hosting other content creators, including musicians and comedians as well, has been in talks about a deal since March with US-based investment firm Forest Road Company.
However, the New York Post has also reported that the firm is struggling to find a buyer.
The newspaper also cited unnamed sources, saying: 'You're looking to find billionaires and trying to sell it as not an adult content company but just a platform like X that allows adult content,' the source said. 'But I think most people right now view OnlyFans as an adult content company.'
Despite the good profits generated by OnlyFans, the 'filth factor' limits the price tag, to a relatively modest three to five times EBITDA, a financial indicator of the earnings of a company. The value of OnlyFans is somewhere between $1.46bn and $2.42bn (€1.29bn and €2.14bn), the newspaper reported.
OnlyFans is currently owned by Fenix International Ltd, and the sole shareholder is Ukrainian-American Leonid Radvinsky. He bought the company in 2018 and has paid himself at least $1 billion in dividends over the past three years, British filings showed.
The company's revenue has been growing. In the year ended November 2023, the company generated $485 million (€428m) in profits and $6.6bn (€5.82bn) in revenues. OnlyFans charges 20% from its 4 million creators, who make content for 300 million subscribers.
Despite the news reports about the company struggling to sell and the fact that it is out of touch for banks to invest in due to its x-rated content, Reuters said that Fenix International Ltd is also in talks with other potential suitors and that an initial public offering, selling the company's shares on a stock market, is also being considered.
According to unnamed sources, the company could reach a deal in the next week or two.
OnlyFans did not immediately respond to Euronews Business's request for comment.
The summit highlights the growing role of digital technologies in the region's economic development and coincides with the release of the GSMA's latest Mobile Economy Eurasia report. The report projects that mobile technologies will contribute €238 billion to Eurasia's economy by 2030, equivalent to 8.3% of the region's GDP. This forecast is driven by the growth of smartphone usage, expanded internet access, and the accelerating rollout of 5G networks.
The choice of Tashkent as host city reflects Uzbekistan's rising profile as a regional digital leader. Since launching wide-ranging reforms in 2017, the country has opened up its economy, encouraged foreign investment, and promoted innovation in the tech sector. Today, Uzbekistan is home to more than 9,700 ICT companies and 200,000 tech professionals, with services exported to 90 countries and a total turnover of €4.1 billion.
'Uzbekistan has undergone one of the most successful transformations in the world,' Kaan Terzioğlu, CEO of VEON, said. 'With a population of 40 million and over one million babies born every year, the country is demographically strong and full of potential.'
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, stressed the broader economic impact of mobile sector growth. 'A $1 increase in the mobile economy generates $6 in GDP. When governments create investment-friendly environments and key sectors like banking or transport integrate mobile tech, the benefits are shared by all,' he said.
A key highlight of the summit is the unveiling of the Kazakh Large Language Model, developed through a partnership between Kazakh researchers, QazCode, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, and the GSMA Foundry. The AI model supports Kazakh, Turkish, English, and Russian, addressing a crucial gap in local language technologies.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan continues to encourage innovation through initiatives like the Presidential $1 million tech award, aimed at supporting start-ups and digital entrepreneurship. Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, pointed to recent app launches that integrate IT, tourism, and business services - generating over 2,000 international user interactions in just one week.
Neighbouring Kazakhstan is also advancing its digital infrastructure. Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, emphasised the country's commitment to AI and digital infrastructure saying, 'We are building our AI ecosystem with initiatives such as the creation of a national AI Center. This center will support research, education, and startups, playing a crucial role in nurturing the entire ecosystem.'
Despite advances some challenges remain. According to the GSMA, around 80 million people in Eurasia remain offline, despite having mobile network coverage. Addressing this "usage gap" will be key to ensuring inclusive digital growth across the region.
GSMA initiatives such as its collaboration with IBM — offering members access to the Watsonx.ai platform — and joint efforts with the European Space Agency on Non-Terrestrial Networks, aim to enhance connectivity and bridge the digital divide.
As Tashkent takes the spotlight during M360 Eurasia, Uzbekistan positions itself as a key player in shaping the region's digital future — one increasingly defined by innovation, inclusion, and international cooperation.
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