According to the Financial Times, San Francisco-based Architect Capital is set to acquire less than 20% of the business, with the transaction potentially closing as soon as next month. Earlier discussions reportedly involved a much larger stake of up to 60%, but those plans were scaled back, contributing to the lower valuation.

The talks intensified following the death of OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky, who died at 43 after a battle with cancer. His ownership stake is now being managed through a trust overseen by his widow, Katie Radvinsky.

OnlyFans was acquired by Radvinsky in 2018 and rapidly grew into one of the most profitable digital platforms in the creator economy, built on direct payments between users and content creators.

The company takes approximately a 20% commission from the earnings of more than 4.6 million creators worldwide. Unlike many tech platforms, it is not distributed through Apple’s App Store or Google Play, allowing it to avoid standard platform fees.

Despite its strong profitability, the business has long faced regulatory pressure and scrutiny from payment processors. Companies such as Visa have tightened rules around transactions, increasing fees and complicating payment flows for adult content platforms.

Investor appetite remains cautious. Several major funds have reportedly avoided involvement in the deal due to reputational concerns and the risk of further regulatory action targeting the industry.

In financial filings for the year ending November 2024, OnlyFans reported approximately $1.4 billion in revenue and $666 million in operating profit. The company operates with just 46 employees.

Roughly two-thirds of its revenue comes from the United States, making the platform particularly sensitive to American regulatory and political developments.