The only post-launch revenue model SC has is the ability to buy in-game money from CIG direct. Now before anyone overreacts - this is limited per account per day/week/month so someone can't come in and crash the economy, and it is a balance for people who want to play but who don't have enough game time to earn money for better ships. Unlike every MMO out there the currency you buy is the exact same currency you can earn in-game, so it's really an enabler for people who can't spend 6+ hours a day in game to be able to play for fun instead of playing to earn money to then have fun. You are right that CR is looking at other models - I think the one he looks at most is guild wars 2 where it's a pay once play forever model but there's no sign of adding microtransactions from that.
As for who has the most invested I think it's safe to say a few of us have a
healthy obsession with the game
Patch removed the Freelancer variants
- they haven't mentioned any additional patches due between now and DFM so it could be that the variants don't go live until then (the website is due a revamp immediately after DFM so the variants could be used to launch the new shop front).