Video platform Rumble has begun limited testing of a new wallet feature that lets Android users send Bitcoin and stablecoin tips directly to creators during livestreams and on-demand videos.

The testing phase started on November 21, 2025, with plans for wider rollout expected by mid-December.

Android Users Get First Access to Crypto Tipping

The new wallet supports three digital assets: Bitcoin (BTC), Tether’s USDT stablecoin, and Tether Gold (XAUT). Android users can now send tips directly within livestream chats and video content without using traditional payment methods.

Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski announced the launch on social media, writing “It’s happening… tips in $BTC $XAUT and $USDT on Rumble.” The testing phase follows the initial announcement made at the Plan ₿ Forum in Lugano, Switzerland in October 2025, where the first demonstration tip was sent to content creator David Freiheit.

The wallet operates as a non-custodial system, meaning users control their own private keys and funds. This design aligns with Rumble’s focus on user freedom and financial independence. The platform emphasizes that neither Rumble nor third parties can access user wallets.

Partnership Strategy Powers New Features

Rumble built its wallet through partnerships with two major crypto companies. Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin, provides the technical backbone for processing transactions. The partnership includes a massive $775 million investment Tether made in Rumble in late 2024.

MoonPay handles all buying, selling, and swapping functions within the wallet. This partnership makes it easier for users without crypto experience to participate in the tipping system. MoonPay’s integration allows people to purchase digital assets using regular payment methods like credit cards and bank transfers.

Source: @paoloardoino

The wallet development began earlier in 2025 when Pavlovski first announced plans for a crypto wallet designed to help creators earn more money, especially in international markets where traditional payment systems face restrictions.

Breaking New Ground in Creator Payments

Rumble’s move represents one of the first major implementations of crypto tipping on a large-scale video platform. Other major platforms have largely avoided crypto payments. Twitch tested Bitcoin tipping briefly but discontinued it after one year. YouTube and TikTok have never offered native crypto tipping features.

The platform serves 51 million monthly users as of Q2 2025, making it one of the largest video platforms to test crypto payments. This user base could provide significant real-world testing for Bitcoin as a payment method.

Traditional creator payment systems often involve high fees, delayed payouts, and potential account restrictions. Crypto tipping offers creators instant payments with lower transaction costs compared to credit card processing or PayPal transfers.

Rumble’s Growing Bitcoin Strategy

The wallet testing builds on Rumble’s broader embrace of Bitcoin. The company announced a Bitcoin treasury strategy in late 2024, planning to purchase up to $20 million worth of Bitcoin.

Rumble currently holds 210.8 Bitcoin worth approximately $25 million based on recent valuations. The company made its first Bitcoin purchase on January 20, 2025, and added 188 Bitcoin worth $17.1 million in March 2025 at an average price of $91,000 per coin.

CEO Pavlovski views Bitcoin holdings as protection against inflation and currency debasement. This treasury strategy positions Rumble alongside other companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla that hold Bitcoin as a corporate asset.

The platform positions itself as a free speech alternative to YouTube, attracting creators who want less content moderation. This anti-censorship stance aligns with Bitcoin’s decentralized philosophy, making crypto integration a natural fit for the platform’s mission.

Technical Features and Future Plans

The Rumble Wallet uses end-to-end encryption and industry-standard security protocols. Users can access their wallet through Rumble’s single sign-on system or use their seed phrase for complete control and recovery.

Beyond tipping, the wallet will eventually offer full crypto functionality. Users will be able to buy, store, and send various digital assets directly through the Rumble app. The MoonPay partnership enables seamless crypto purchases for users new to digital assets.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino expects the wallet to become one of the largest consumer crypto wallets due to Rumble’s extensive user base. The companies plan to expand the wallet to all users by early to mid-December 2025, pending completion of the current Android testing phase.

The wallet represents part of a broader strategy to compete with Google’s ecosystem. Tether’s investment also funds other Rumble projects including AI services, email, cloud storage, and calendar applications.

The Creator Economy Gets Crypto

Rumble’s crypto wallet testing could influence how the entire creator economy handles payments. Traditional platforms rely heavily on advertising revenue and take significant cuts from creator earnings. Direct crypto tipping bypasses these intermediaries and gives creators more control over their income.

The timing aligns with growing frustration among creators over changing platform policies, reduced revenue splits, and unpredictable algorithm changes. Crypto payments offer an alternative that doesn’t depend on corporate payment processors or traditional banking systems.

With Bitcoin gaining institutional acceptance and regulatory clarity improving, Rumble’s wallet could pioneer mainstream crypto adoption in the creator economy. The platform’s success could encourage other video platforms to develop similar crypto payment features.