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If you’re not a regular viewer of TikTok Live streams, you may never have heard of TikTok coins.
They can be purchased in the Live sessions, directly through your TikTok profile page, on the platform’s website, or from third-party sellers. However, they can’t be exchanged by individual users on the social media platform, they can’t be used anywhere except in TikTok Lives, and there’s just one thing they can be used for.
Intrigued? Let’s learn more.
What are TikTok Coins?
These coins don’t exist anywhere except in the TikTok app, because they’re virtual currency that’s tracked by the system and nowhere else. Each coin is worth approximately 1.4¢, and they’re sold in differently-sized bundles.
The cost of a coin can vary depending on how many are purchased at one time, the nation in which they’re purchased (TikTok users in Maylasia and Argentina pay less than those in the US), and they’re more expensive in the app than on the TikTok website (site revenue isn’t split with Apple and Google). Third parties also claim to sell the coins, but many are running scams.
Those are the basics, but the big question remains: what are TikTok coins used for?
TikTok Gifts
Have you ever wondered why so many TikTok influencers run Live streams?
Sure, the sessions are a good way to boost engagement with their TikTok fans, showcase products they may sell in the TikTok store, and convince casual viewers to become their new TikTok followers. One of the biggest reasons they do it, though, is because Live streaming can generate an enormous revenue stream.
Those who attend Live sessions are able to tip the hosts in the form of virtual TikTok gifts, some of which can be quite valuable. What’s important for this discussion, though, are the gifts that can only be purchased with TikTok coins.
You might think that gifts purchased with coins worth less than two cents each wouldn’t add up to much, but you’d be very wrong. Many of the available gifts are indeed inexpensive, like roses and ice cream cones that cost just one TikTok coin apiece.
But there are hundreds of gifts available in all price ranges, from panda hugs worth about $7 and carousels worth around $27, to a virtual Big Ben worth $200 and the most expensive TikTok gift, a TikTok Universe, which costs 44,000 coins — the equivalent of around $562. As you can see, running Live shows that bring in lots of appreciative viewers can be extremely lucrative.
The hosts only get to keep about half the value of the gifts they receive, with TikTok keeping the rest. Even so, gifts are a valuable source of revenue for successful influencers and content creators, and it’s completely funded by the purchase of TikTok coins.
(One important note: only users 18 or older can buy TikTok coins, and only creators who meet that age limit can receive TikTok gifts.)
Buying TikTok Coins
The easiest way to purchase TikTok coins is in a live show; they’re for sale through the “Gift” link on the screen. You can also buy them on the app by going to your TikTok profile, tapping the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines), choosing “Balance,” and then tapping “Recharge.” To buy at a lower rate on the TikTok website, go to tiktok.com/coin.
Lots of companies selling VPN services allow you to log into TikTok through servers in other countries where coins are cheaper than in the US, UK, or EU. Finally, you can take your chances by searching for third-party sellers, but be careful; there’s a good chance you’ll just be ripped off.
About the Author
Peter Hasselworth is a contributor at iDigic, sharing valuable insights about Instagram growth and social media marketing strategies.