OnlyFans in Talks to Sell Majority Stake at $5.5 Billion Valuation

31st Jan 2026
OnlyFans in Talks to Sell Majority Stake at $5.5 Billion Valuation Subscription platform OnlyFans is in exclusive talks to sell a majority stake to Architect Capital in a deal that would value the business at around $5.5 billion including debt, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by Reuters. The proposed transaction would see Architect acquire close to 60% of the company, valuing OnlyFans at roughly $3.5 billion on an equity basis. While discussions remain ongoing, the talks signal a structural shift for one of the most profitable creator platforms in the digital economy. A Business Generating Cash, but Limited by Structure OnlyFans has become a rare asset in the platform economy: a privately owned business generating almost $1.6 billion in annual net revenue, with a simple and highly effective monetisation model. The platform takes a 20% share of creator earnings, producing consistent cash flow without reliance on advertising or complex commerce layers. Yet despite its scale, the company remains wholly owned by a single shareholder, Leonid Radvinsky, who acquired the business in 2018. That ownership structure has delivered control and speed, but it also constrains liquidity, governance flexibility, and long-term exit options. A majority stake sale offers a way to partially de-risk ownership while keeping strategic influence intact. Why a Majority Stake — and Why Now The talks with Architect Capital are not positioned as a full exit. Instead, they reflect a familiar inflection point for founder-controlled platforms that have reached institutional scale. Selling a majority stake: Provides liquidity without fully relinquishing control Introduces institutional governance ahead of a potential IPO Creates capacity to invest in infrastructure beyond core product execution According to reporting, Architect has highlighted opportunities to develop payments infrastructure aimed at supporting “under-banked” creators — a signal that the buyer is focused less on content and more on financial systems underpinning the platform. What a Majority Stake Sale Changes A majority stake sale allows a company to introduce institutional ownership and governance while retaining founder involvement. For OnlyFans, it would provide liquidity, support investment in payments and compliance infrastructure, and create flexibility for future options such as a public listing, without requiring a full exit. Payments as the Next Constraint As creator platforms mature, money movement increasingly becomes a limiting factor. Fast payouts, cross-border transfers, compliance, and access to financial services are no longer peripheral features; they shape creator retention and platform trust. OnlyFans’ current success was built on simplicity, but further growth — particularly outside core markets — requires deeper financial infrastructure. Architect’s pitch suggests that payments, rather than audience growth, are now viewed as the primary lever for expansion. This reframes the deal not as a content bet, but as an infrastructure play. Positioning for an Institutional Future Reuters reported that Architect sees a potential path to an IPO in 2028. While timing remains speculative, the reference is telling. Moving toward a public-market-ready structure typically requires years of preparation, including enhanced governance, financial transparency, and operational resilience. A majority investment introduces those disciplines without forcing an immediate listing or a full sale — allowing OnlyFans to professionalise its structure while continuing to generate substantial private cash flow. A Platform Growing Up OnlyFans’ explosive growth during the pandemic years turned it into a global household name. The current talks suggest a quieter transition: from a founder-controlled cash machine into a more institutionally structured platform designed for longevity. Whether or not the deal completes, the discussions themselves highlight where pressure is now building — not around demand, but around ownership flexibility, payments capability, and future optionality. For a platform already throwing off billions in creator earnings, the next phase is less about growth at any cost, and more about how value moves, who controls it, and how long the structure can endure.