Beyond likes: How MeWe is monetizing social media

MeWe is moving its social network into a Web3 economy, rolling out embedded digital wallets on the Avalanche blockchain that let users tip creators, group moderators and friends directly.

In this interview, Carlos Betancourt, CEO at MeWe, outlines the company's shift from likes to tipping, following MeWe's sponsorship of Avalanche Summit 2026 in New York.

The wallets launched on 11 March 2026 through the Soshi protocol. Tipping was first enabled for verified community groups, with tipping between individual users expanding afterwards.

Founded in 2012, MeWe runs without targeted ads or algorithmic feeds under its Privacy Bill of Rights. Betancourt became CEO in July 2025 after nearly two decades in traditional finance and digital assets.