You see 10,000 coins in your TikTok wallet and assume you’re holding real value — something like $100 worth of creator love. Maybe you’re planning to drop a Universe gift on your favorite live, or just want your name to stick at the top of the chat.
But here’s the part TikTok doesn’t exactly shout from the rooftops: your $100 gesture might only be worth $25–$35 to the creator on the other side.
This isn’t a glitch. It’s the system. And once you understand how TikTok coins, diamonds, and platform fees actually work in 2025, you’ll think differently before tapping “Recharge.”
What Are TikTok Coins And Why Everyone Gets It Wrong
Coins are TikTok’s in-app currency, bought with real money and used to send gifts during livestreams — roses, lions, galaxies, and universes. Once bought, you can’t trade them back, transfer them, or refund them unless you go through a regional support loophole.
More importantly, creators don’t receive your coins. They receive diamonds, a separate value system that TikTok controls. The current standard: 2 coins = 1 diamond, and each diamond is worth around $0.005 USD.
So when you spend 10,000 coins — roughly $99.99 — the creator ends up with about 5,000 diamonds, or $25–$35 in real money, depending on fees, taxes, and payout method.
Where the Rest of the Money Goes
You’re not being scammed — you’re just not the only one dipping into the pot.
When you buy coins inside the TikTok app (especially on iOS), Apple and Google take a 30% cut right off the top. After that, TikTok takes up to 50% of what’s left from the creator’s gift earnings.
Let’s do the math:
- You buy 10,000 coins = $100
- Creator receives 5,000 diamonds = ~$25 payout
- TikTok and the platforms just earned more than the creator did
And that’s before PayPal fees or taxes are subtracted during withdrawal.
Can You Actually Get Coins for Less? Yes — But It’s Tricky
TikTok doesn’t advertise this, but there’s a reason seasoned users never buy coins through the app.
If you purchase coins from the TikTok website (desktop browser, logged-in account), the prices are lower — up to 30% cheaper. Why? Because you skip Apple and Google’s fees, so TikTok can offer better rates.
Pricing also changes by country. For example:
- In the U.S., 700 coins cost about $7.22
- In the Netherlands, the same amount might cost over $8.90
Some users use VPNs to access cheaper regional stores, but that violates TikTok’s terms of service, and could get your account flagged.
Is It Even Worth Gifting Coins Anymore?
Yes — if your goal is visibility, not economics.
Coins aren’t an investment. They’re a digital standing ovation. When you send a lion or a galaxy, you’re not making your favorite creator rich — you’re boosting their visibility, giving them motivation, and probably earning a thank-you on stream.
For viewers, gifting is emotional currency.
For creators, it’s conditional income.
You have to stream often. You have to engage. You have to build a gift-friendly culture on your live — and even then, it can take 15 days or more to receive payout (after verifying ID, linking a PayPal, and meeting minimum thresholds).
No, You Can’t Convert Coins Back to Cash
Once you buy coins, they’re stuck to your account.
If you haven’t used them, you might be able to request a refund — but only if you bought them through TikTok.com, and only within the 14-day EU grace period. Outside of that? They’re yours. Forever.
According to TikTok’s refund policy, there’s no button to “sell back” coins, no refund if you regret a lion gift, and definitely no way to cash out as a viewer.
What’s Changed Since 2023? A Lot — and Not in Your Favor
Back in 2022 and early 2023, 10,000 coins might’ve netted your favorite creator close to $40–$50. TikTok was still trying to grow its livestream ecosystem, and it was looser with payout structures.
Now in 2025, you’re lucky if they earn $25–$30. TikTok has quietly tightened its internal conversion rates, pushed creators harder toward brand partnerships, and increased payout friction for smaller accounts.
Gift value hasn’t gone up. Platform profit has.
Why People Still Gift Anyway
Because it’s not about the money.
It’s about being seen. Heard. Noticed.
People send coins to:
- Get their username read aloud
- Show loyalty
- Trigger creator reactions
- Climb leaderboards
- And yeah, sometimes to flirt
It’s digital status, not economic strategy. And if you’re a creator, you already know: people don’t tip for the video — they tip for the moment.
So the key isn’t asking for coins. It’s creating moments worth tipping for.
The Real Takeaway
TikTok coins aren’t broken — they’re designed exactly the way TikTok wants them to be:
- High-margin for the platform
- Emotional for the buyer
- Useful but underpaid for the creator
If you’re spending coins, do it for the vibe — not the ROI. And if you’re earning them, remember: it’s just one stream of income, not the whole river.
