They’ll be back.
Referback distanced itself more and more – and is coming back.
Ditto for Fortune.
They do need us – there is no cheaper way to market than through affiliates.
They won’t cut affiliates out altogether, they will just be concentrating more on other advertising venues – like their CDs and portals.
They would be fools to cut out affs all the way – all that free branding! But they will compete with us even heavier.
The notion that affiliates are more trouble than they are worth keeps cropping up.
Let’s face it, we are a motley crew! 
However, all the programs come back around and cater to affiliates when they realize that there is nothing more efficient.
By coddling them when they are heading in the wrong direction we do neither ourselves nor them any favors.
Of course with Coins there is the additional factor that they are devoid of the normal principles of business, like paying for performed services.