opinion

A Peek Inside the Romanian Adult Industry

A Peek Inside the Romanian Adult Industry

There’s no question that adult entertainment is big in Romania. According to Statista, camming provides opportunities for talent to generate earnings higher than the national average monthly wage of $350. There is also an abundance of potential raw talent in the country since — according to a recent BBC News article — 30% of new graduates find it difficult to get work, which can lead some novices to explore adult work.

Cam studios open and close frequently around Bucharest, enticing models with ready-to-use cameras, computers and cam rooms that individuals may not be able to afford on their own. Once a studio recruits new talent, they’re trained by industry veterans.

Cam studios open and close frequently around Bucharest, enticing models with ready-to-use cameras, computers and cam rooms that individuals may not be able to afford on their own.

According to Pornhub Insights, the biggest porn search queries in Romania are “Romania,” “Romanian,” “lesbian,” “stepmom,” “hentai,” “MILF,” “stepsister” and “big ass,” with 79% of visitors from the region identifying as male versus 21% female.

Among the most successful stars from the region, per XXXBios, are Sofia Gucci, Mistress Mira, Black Angelika, Hott Alicia, Jasmine Black, Sensual Jane, Sandra Romain, Donna Bell, Lana Ivans and Jasmine Rouge. They have helped bring attention to Romania as a source for high-quality sexual content and have kept the country at the top of the adult industry charts for years.

When it comes to paying for goods and services, the local currency is the Romanian lei. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Romania, because while the currency has depreciated and become inflated, the country receives support as a member of the European Union. American Express cards are occasionally accepted in tourist locations.

Increasingly, Romanians are seeking to pay for things they’d like to keep private via cryptocurrency. According to bitcoin sales site Buy Bitcoin Worldwide, the most popular crypto exchanges that allow trade between Romanian financial institutions and the rest of the world are eToro, Coinbase, Coinmama, Bitpanda, Paybis, Bity, Bitcoin Romania and Bitstamp.

Those looking to invest in Romanian adult businesses like cam studios should note that the country has certain constraints. Perhaps the biggest limitation in 2021 is Romania's stance on the LGBTQ+ community. It is one of a few remaining EU countries that do not allow same-sex marriage, and it is taboo to publicly demonstrate pride in one’s alternative sexuality. However, this could present a business opportunity, as the local culture is becoming increasingly progressive and policy changes could lead to a gold mine of viewership for such content.

Suffice it to say, anyone who gets involved in the Romanian market is setting themselves up for expansive opportunities down the line. Those who are already looking into setting up shop online or have already created an adult website featuring Romanian content are wisely staking claims early, scooping up pertinent URLs.

Businesses should also consider their finances, since they will need to be vigilant with bookkeeping and ensuring currency exchanges are kept in line to reduce foreign transaction fees. Payment processors often have financial solutions specific to adult sites, so that website operators don’t have to worry about efficient money transfers and record-keeping. Instead, they can implement payment systems that allow their users to make payments without issues.

As the world gets used to post-pandemic life, interactive adult experiences are still a hit, from camming to VR and AR, and Romania presents a vital region for any entrepreneur seeking new horizons.

Ilya Firsov has a background in the automotive, finance and various adult industries, with experience in sales, affiliate marketing and IT projects. He is currently the head of sales for Certus Finance and responsible for marketing and branding. With a background in high-risk processing, Certus has the ability to process for companies in the U.S., EU, Australia and other regions around the world.

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