Video platform Rumble announced a partnership with Tether to enable Bitcoin tipping for content creators. According to reports, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski made the announcement at Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland on October 24, 2025. The platform currently serves 51 million monthly active users.
The Bitcoin tipping feature is currently in the testing phase. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated that a full rollout is expected by early to mid-December 2025. The company will address remaining technical issues and refine the user experience before the complete launch.
Rumble showcased its first Bitcoin tip sent to content creator David Freiheit. The platform is also working with crypto payments firm MoonPay to offer crypto wallets to users. This integration aims to make Bitcoin tips more accessible for creators.
Direct Benefits for Content Creators
The Bitcoin tipping feature provides creators with an alternative payment method outside traditional banking systems. Ardoino explained that Bitcoin tips offer creators protection against account closures based on content decisions. The integration gives creators in emerging markets and developed economies access to decentralized payment options.
According to industry analysis, content creators can receive instant Bitcoin payments directly from fans through the Lightning Network. This eliminates third-party platforms taking revenue cuts. Creators gain more control over their earnings and reduce payment processing delays.
Rumble holds 210.8 Bitcoin worth $23.4 million in its corporate treasury. The company adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy in March 2025. Tether invested $775 million into the platform in December 2024.
Broader Payment Adoption Trends
The Rumble integration reflects growing Bitcoin payment adoption across merchant and service sectors. Reports indicate that Cannes targeted 90% merchant crypto adoption in 2025 to attract tech-savvy tourists and establish itself as a crypto tourism hub. Cities and businesses increasingly view Bitcoin payments as a way to reach new customer segments.
Bitcoin accounts for approximately 42% of all merchant crypto transactions in 2025. The global cryptocurrency payments market reached a $550 to $600 million valuation in 2024. Transaction costs through Bitcoin channels drop from traditional 6% to 7% down to below 1%.
Video platforms face growing competition for creator attention as the creator economy expands toward a $100 billion industry size. YouTube paid over $70 billion to creators between 2021 and 2023. Alternative platforms seek differentiation through features like cryptocurrency payments and reduced platform fees. Rumble positions itself as a free speech alternative with less restrictive content moderation policies.
Traditional financial institutions show mixed responses to crypto payment integration. Some view Bitcoin adoption as speculative, while others compare it to private equity evolution. Bitcoin payment adoption for everyday transactions remains limited despite institutional investment growth. The Rumble integration tests whether large user bases will adopt Bitcoin for regular content creator support rather than just investment holdings.