Hey everyone,

I was curious on whether anyone has ever thought about potentially introducing a Fediverse equivalent to platforms like:

  • Ko-fi
  • Patreon
  • Gumroad
  • LiberaPay
  • Buy Me a Coffee
  • Web Monetization (e.g., Coil)
    etc.

What I’m imagining is a decentralized platform that allows users across the Fediverse to directly tip or support creators, all without relying on plugins or third-party integrations.

For instance, I know that creators on platforms like PeerTube can add plugins for cryptocurrency or payment solutions, but these require additional configuration or technical know-how.

What I’m suggesting is a straightforward tipping platform built directly into the Fediverse ecosystem, one that doesn’t depend on plugins—just a seamless way to support creators on ALL Fediverse platforms.

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To clarify upfront:

  • I am NOT a “crypto bro.” I’m not here to promote any cryptocurrency or blockchain agenda—I’m just thinking about user-friendly, decentralized solutions.
  • While I AM open-minded about crypto-based approaches, I feel there’s potential for a non-crypto, user-first Fediverse tipping system.

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What do you all think?

  • Has this idea been explored?
  • Are there any projects in the works that aim to address this?
  • Do you think it’s feasible or even a good fit for the Fediverse ethos?

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I’d love to attempt something like this myself, but sadly I personally lack the time, technical knowledge, and energy to make it happen.

Still, I’d be really curious to hear the community’s thoughts.

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights.

  • @brucethemooseEnglish
    2•3 days ago

    Maybe we’re overthinking this.

    What if it was a front-end for, like, Google or Apple Pay, PayPal, and other centralized financial services?

    So basically, the “Fediverse” part is the account, UI, integration with other Fediverse apps, but ultimately it does not hold any financial information or perform any transactions. All it does is conveniently connect donors to creators better, and more flexibly, than a bare “here’s my PayPal’ link.

    • @[email protected]English
      5•3 days ago

      There is a long list of things those payment services will not do, and reliance on any of them makes a federated service a polite fiction, forcing each set of server admins to enforce and ban many things on the possibility it could shut them down .

      It can only work with untraceable crypto, and even then we are back to the illegal market strategy, and why those markets are in the dark web, with most of them doing exit scams