Rumble Deploys First Tether WDK Wallet; RUM Jumps 4%
Rumble shares rose 4% as the video platform became the first to integrate Tether’s WDK, enabling non-custodial Bitcoin and USDT tipping.
Rumble (NASDAQ: RUM) launched a native, non-custodial crypto wallet Wednesday, marking the first commercial deployment of Tether’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK). The integration allows the platform’s 67 million monthly users to tip creators directly in Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT), bypassing traditional payment processors.
Markets reacted immediately to the infrastructure shift. Rumble shares climbed 4.84% to close at $6.84, outperforming a mixed tech sector. The move validates Rumble’s pivot toward “freedom-first” monetization rails, distinct from the centralized ad models of competitors like YouTube.
The Tech: Custody Remains with the User
Unlike Twitch or YouTube tipping features, which hold funds in corporate escrow, the Rumble Wallet is self-custodial. Built on Tether’s open-source WDK, the architecture ensures users and creators retain private keys. Rumble cannot freeze funds or block transactions, a direct response to the “debanking” fears common among the platform’s user base.
“Rumble represents free speech and liberty the same way that cryptocurrency and a decentralized internet represent freedom, and Rumble Wallet is the natural combination of those things.” Chris Pavlovski, Rumble CEO
Integration Details
The wallet is embedded directly into the Rumble interface, removing the friction of external apps. At launch, it supports:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Tether (USDT)
- Tether Gold (XAUt)
On-ramps are powered by MoonPay, allowing users to purchase crypto via credit card or Apple Pay within the video player. While stablecoin transactions settle near-instantly, the inclusion of XAUt introduces a rare gold-backed tipping mechanism to the creator economy.
Tether’s B2B Strategy
For Tether, this release serves as a live fire test for the WDK. CEO Paolo Ardoino has pitched the toolkit as a modular solution for platforms to integrate crypto without building proprietary security infrastructure. A successful deployment on Rumble, a high-volume, consumer-facing platform, likely strengthens Tether’s case as it markets the WDK to other non-crypto enterprises seeking payment autonomy.
