Enabled frictionless micropayments to content creators as an alternative to advertising, providing privacy-respecting monetization through subscription-based revenue sharing.
Last updated Feb 11, 2026 by AI Enrichment
Pioneer in web monetization standards, now defunct
Coil was a web monetization platform that aimed to provide an alternative revenue model for content creators through micropayments. Founded by Stefan Thomas, former CTO of Ripple, Coil enabled users to pay a monthly subscription fee that would be automatically distributed to websites and creators they visited, using the Interledger Protocol (ILP) and Web Monetization API. The platform represented an innovative approach to supporting online content without relying on traditional advertising models. Coil positioned itself as a solution to ad-blocking and privacy concerns by offering a direct payment mechanism between consumers and creators. The platform supported various content types including articles, videos, music, and games. However, Coil announced its shutdown in early 2023, citing challenges in achieving sustainable growth and the broader economic climate affecting the technology sector. While not strictly an AdTech company, Coil represented an alternative monetization approach that competed with traditional advertising-supported models.
Monthly subscription service that automatically streamed micropayments to Web Monetization-enabled websites
Browser API implementation allowing websites to receive streaming payments from Coil members
Tools and documentation for content creators to integrate Web Monetization into their websites