I agree with You that Mr. Devellano is not going to let millions slip through his fingers--however, I think it will come in form of obtaining a buyout rather than converting hypster.com into a paying service.
I expect a buyout entity to buy hypster.com for the purpose of mining existing user base into their paid subscription services.
If a buyout offer can't be obtained I would agree that the BUNM management team will be constrained to begin charging.
Profitability is now a must in the 'new normal' of this economy. Hope alone doesn't cut it anymore.