Civitai, the world’s biggest stash of generative AI models, just went full crypto this month after its credit card processor gave it the cold shoulder over AI-generated explicit content. Now, users can buy Buzz, Civitai’s virtual, non-Web3 tokens, using a smorgasbord of cryptocurrencies.
Crypto to the Rescue as Payment Processors Pull Out
The platform rolled out payments in USDC, USDT, Litecoin, Ethereum, TRON, Solana, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu via NowPayments. Bitcoin? Nope, too pricey with its high transaction fees, so it got benched.
“We’re excited to introduce crypto payments for Buzz. This gives you a secure and convenient way to get the Buzz you need.”
Civitai cheerfully announced in its May 22 implementation guide.
If you’re wondering what coin to use, Civitai recommends USDC on the Base network, zero gas fees, and super speedy, with transactions confirmed in 15-25 seconds. Don’t worry, Coinbase isn’t mandatory, but it’s the easiest for wallets compatible with Ethereum.
Crypto purchases come with a flat $1 fee, a steal compared to traditional payment processors who love to nibble at your wallet. And, your wallet info? Safe and sound, Civitai never stores it.
The sudden crypto pivot followed the May 23 axe from their credit card processor, who said recent policy tweaks weren’t enough to keep NSFW AI content safe under their rules. Negotiations for new card providers willing to play nice with adult content are ongoing.
NSFW Platforms Turn to Crypto as Traditional Payments Shrink
Civitai isn’t flying solo in this crypto escape. Adult platforms like Pornhub jumped on Bitcoin after Visa and MasterCard cut ties in December 2020, while LiveJasmin started accepting Bitcoin as far back as 2015, praising crypto’s privacy perks. Even SpankChain launched SpankPay to help adult sites dodge finance bans, though regulatory heat pushed them into advocacy recently.
Mainstream payment giants like PayPal, Stripe, and Square usually ban adult content altogether. Visa and MasterCard give banks the power to label these businesses “high risk,” making traditional payments a minefield for NSFW and generative AI platforms.
“Some payment companies label generative-AI platforms high risk, especially with user-generated mature content, even when it’s legal and moderated,” Civitai explained. “That policy choice, not anything users did, forced the cutoff.”
With 3.2 million users, Civitai now leans on crypto while hunting for new card processors. The platform has also tightened content rules, banning real-person likenesses to comply with the freshly minted U.S. Take It Down Act and the EU AI Act, both cracking down hard on non-consensual intimate imagery.
The Take It Down Act means platforms have 48 hours to remove flagged content or face up to three years in prison, so Civitai swiftly ditched celebrity deepfakes, fan art, and other risqué creations to stay on the right side of the law.
Fans and critics are split on the crypto shift, some cheer the move, others eye it warily.
civitai is crypto and ach only for the foreseeable future. feels like there's an opportunity here...https://t.co/SAVfgBOI3j
— Bayley (@castorhat) May 20, 2025
Oof CivitAI shooting themselves in the foot with their Crypt Coin options. When I looked at them myself for payment options I was wondering what was missing and I could not put my finger on it at the time. pic.twitter.com/luXvIEJHZv
— Laharl (@SpaceMutiny) May 23, 2025
Meanwhile, a few users archive content via communities like r/CivitaiArchives or explore alternative platforms, but most are sticking with Civitai for now.
Kristian Koch
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