Rumble (-0.45%) is making a notable change to its creator monetization strategy, opting for crypto-based payments instead of traditional banks.

Today, Rumble announced the launch of Rumble Wallet, a built-in digital wallet that lets viewers pay creators directly using cryptocurrency. Which means there won’t be any banks involved, or third-party payment processors that require you to wait for payouts to clear.

CEO Chris Pavlovski wants creators to be able to receive tips and payments straight from fans using digital assets, instead of relying on ad networks or traditional financial institutions that can add fees, delays, or the occasional account freeze.

At launch, Rumble Wallet supports Bitcoin, USDT, and Tether Gold. The wallet is non-custodial, meaning users and creators keep control of their funds rather than handing them over to a centralized platform. Rumble says this setup allows for direct, borderless payments while reducing the risk of payment restrictions or shutdowns.

The wallet was built using infrastructure from Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin. According to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, the goal is to bring decentralized payments to a much bigger audience by embedding them into a mainstream content platform.

For creators, it’s a huge win. Instead of waiting on ad revenue or navigating platform rules, they can get paid instantly in crypto and move funds in or out as they see fit. That’s where MoonPay comes in. MoonPay powers the wallet’s on and off-ramps, making it possible to convert crypto to traditional payment methods like credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.

MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright framed the launch as part of a pivot toward peer-to-peer payments online, saying crypto-based payouts could become the backbone of the internet economy as more platforms move away from legacy payment rails.

Rumble’s leadership is tying the wallet closely to the company’s free-speech positioning. CEO Chris Pavlovski said financial independence is a key part of protecting online expression, arguing that creators should be able to earn money without relying on middlemen that can change rules or pull support.

The launch also builds on a stronger relationship between Rumble and Tether. Tether became a major shareholder in Rumble following a $775 million investment in late 2024. Since then, the two companies have taken their partnership beyond just payments, working together on cloud services, AI projects, and even Rumble keeping some of its cash reserves in Bitcoin.

At the time of publishing this article, Stocks.News holds positions in Apple, Bitcoin, and Ethereum as mentioned in the article.