Directly tip with cryptocurrency, Tether and Rumble are changing the way creators earn income

Tether and Rumble jointly launch the non-custodial crypto wallet Rumble Wallet, which can be directly integrated into the Rumble platform and supports USDT, Tether Gold (XAUt), and Bitcoin (BTC). The core value of this wallet lies in enabling creators to receive crypto tips directly from viewers, while eliminating the need for intermediaries such as ad networks, banks, and payment processors. This is not only a product launch but also a signal that stablecoin applications are deepening from trading to payment scenarios.

The Three Layers of Wallet Product Significance

Direct Payment Channel for Creators

Rumble Wallet’s most direct role is to establish a crypto payment link between creators and viewers. Users can tip content creators with three assets: stablecoin USDT for value stability, Tether Gold to meet asset diversification needs, and Bitcoin as a long-term store of value. This multi-asset support design caters to risk-averse users and provides options for value investors.

Reducing Costs of Traditional Payment Systems

In traditional creator monetization models, platforms like YouTube and TikTok require multiple intermediaries such as banks and payment processors, each taking a fee. Rumble Wallet enables direct settlement via blockchain, theoretically significantly reducing transaction costs and settlement times. This is especially attractive to global creators—particularly those in regions where traditional financial services are underdeveloped.

Trust Foundation of the Non-Custodial Design

“Non-custodial” means users have full control over their private keys; neither Rumble nor Tether can freeze or seize funds. This is a core selling point for creators and viewers who value financial sovereignty. In the context of increasing concerns over centralization risks of stablecoins, this design highlights the product’s emphasis on user trust.

Strategic Level: Ecosystem Expansion by Two Giants

Tether’s Ecosystem Ambitions

According to relevant information, Tether’s revenue reached $13 billion in 2024, and it has begun large-scale investments in AI, purchasing Bitcoin, and launching innovative products like Scudo (a new unit of account denominated in gold). Rumble Wallet can be seen as part of Tether’s upgrade from a trading tool to a payment infrastructure. Through partnerships with mainstream platforms like Rumble, Tether is expanding the practical application scenarios of USDT.

Rumble’s Crypto Payment Layout

As a Nasdaq-listed company, Rumble’s entry into the crypto payment space is an important supplement to its platform ecosystem. In the current environment where traditional social media platforms face payment difficulties due to regulation and policy issues, Rumble’s native crypto payment capability may attract more creators and users who are cautious about traditional financial systems.

Insights for the Creator Economy

This partnership represents a trend: crypto payments are shifting from a “speculative tool” to a “practical payment method.” If Rumble Wallet operates smoothly, other video and social platforms are expected to follow with similar crypto payment features. This will further expand the application scope of stablecoins and promote greater recognition of crypto assets among creators.

It is important to note that the success of this model depends on several factors: platform users’ acceptance of crypto payments, wallet usability, and regulatory environment changes. From a product design perspective, Tether and Rumble have seized the intersection of the creator economy and crypto payments.

Summary

Tether and Rumble’s launch of Rumble Wallet essentially creates a revenue channel for creators that bypasses traditional financial intermediaries. This product reflects the convergence of two trends: the evolution of stablecoins from trading tools to payment infrastructure, and the creator economy’s demand for more direct, lower-cost payment methods. For Tether, this is a significant step in ecosystem expansion; for the crypto payment ecosystem, it signifies application scenarios deepening from exchanges to real-world consumption. Monitoring the actual adoption rate and user feedback of this wallet will be key indicators of the real-world implementation of crypto payments.