OnlyFans is reportedly being sold at a valuation of $8 billion! Radvinsky, the boss behind the scenes, made $1 billion from dividends

Adult content platform OnlyFans is reportedly set to be sold at a valuation of $8 billion. The behind-the-scenes owner, Leonid Radvinsky, has been known for his low profile and never appearing in the media. However, due to his ownership of OnlyFans, he has not only received $1 billion in dividends but has also become a hidden billionaire on the global wealth list, attracting outside attention.

OnlyFans Reportedly Valued at $8 Billion for Sale, Owner's Net Worth $3.8 Billion

According to the report, many consortiums are very interested in OnlyFans and are expected to sell at a valuation of $8 billion. Currently, investment companies like Forest Road Co. in Los Angeles are evaluating bids. OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky, currently in his 40s, bought the majority of OnlyFans shares from founder Guy and Tim Stokely in 2018.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Radvinsky has received over $1 billion in dividends from OnlyFans and currently has a net worth of $3.8 billion. If OnlyFans is successfully sold, his net worth could potentially break $5 billion. He has stated:

"My goal is to be able to sign the Giving Pledge one day!"

Indicating that he plans to donate most of his wealth for charitable purposes.

Pandemic Boosts Popularity, OnlyFans Annual Revenue Breaks $1.3 Billion

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many creators turned to online platforms to earn money, making OnlyFans an instant hit. By the end of 2023:

• OnlyFans has over 4.12 million creators

• Over 300 million user accounts

• Annual revenue reached $1.3 billion

• Only about 40 full-time employees, and employs hundreds of outsourced content reviewers to handle platform content compliance and safety.

Radvinsky Remains Low-Key, Never Gives Interviews

Despite his enormous wealth, Radvinsky remains low-profile. It's almost impossible to find interviews with him, and he has never publicly participated in major media events. According to his personal website, he describes himself as a software architect, angel investor, and open-source software supporter

committed to "creating tools that allow everyone to have a digital identity".

Content Scale and Platform Safety Deepen OnlyFans Acquisition Difficulty

Although OnlyFans' revenue is impressive, it also faces numerous controversies, especially regarding adult content. Some potential buyers have concerns about OnlyFans' content review mechanism and platform safety. However, OnlyFans emphasizes that they have hired professional teams to review all uploaded content and support government legislation and regulation of online platforms.

Hedge funds have increased their Short Equity Futures positions by $25 billion, the largest increase in three weeks in over a decade. With the surge in ETF and single stock short positions, the total leverage ratio has reached a historic high.

Since April, the S&P 500 index has rebounded sharply by 23%, but as investors question the sustainability of the rebound from tariff reductions, hedge funds are currently increasing their bearish bets on the stock market to a record level.

In the past three Commitments of Traders (COT) reports, hedge funds have increased their Short Equity Futures exposure by $25 billion, the largest increase in three weeks in a decade.

Wall Street Analyst: The Public Still Doubts the Short-Term Recovery from Tariff Sanction Suspension

Goldman Sachs analyst Ben Snider stated that the total gross leverage, including both long and short positions, has risen to a historical high. Although the net leverage (long minus short) remains below the February level, the accelerated growth of short positions has changed the market landscape. This surge highlights the growing skepticism about the market's resilience in a V-shaped recovery after tariff sell-offs.

Steno Research analyst Oskar Vårdal noted that as economic growth and inflation begin to accelerate again, hedge funds and Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) continue to counter the cycle, doubling down on long-term bonds and short-term risks.

Which Shorts Are Hedge Funds Targeting?

Hedge funds' targets include exchange-traded ETFs and individual stocks. Goldman Sachs data shows that in the second quarter, ETF short positions reached $218 billion, and single stock short positions reached $948 billion, with April seeing the largest growth in US ETF short selling.

Among US-listed ETFs, the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF has seen its short holdings surge by 50 percentage points since mid-February, now occupying 96% of circulating shares. The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF rose 27 points to 111%, and the iShares Russell 2000 ETF climbed to 33%.

The ETFs with the highest historical short positions include VanEck Gold Miners ETF at 12% of circulating shares, First Trust NASDAQ-100 Tech ETF at 4%, and iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF with $1 billion in short selling.

Wall Street's Interest in Consumer Staples Shorts Surges

Wall Street's short interests include consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare sectors, currently occupying the top fifth. The median short position in the S&P 500 index represents 2.3% of market value, with short interest in financial and information technology sectors below the long-term average.

Which US Stocks Have Become the Most Bearish Bets?

The US stocks with the largest increase in short positions since the February peak include Somnigroup (NYSE ticker SGI), Lucid Group Inc (Nasdaq ticker LCID), Amer Sports Inc. (NYSE ticker AS), Medpace Holdings Inc (Nasdaq ticker MEDP), Moderna (Nasdaq ticker MRNA), and First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq ticker: FSLR).

Pure market observation, not any investment advice.