LONGBOAT KEY, FL, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rumble Inc. (NASDAQ:RUM), the Freedom-First technology platform, and Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry, today announced the addition of USA₮, Tether’s made-in-America, U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, to Rumble Wallet, the non-custodial crypto wallet integrated directly into the Rumble platform. Rumble Wallet already had supported Tether (USD₮), Tether Gold (XAU₮), and Bitcoin (BTC), enabling audiences to tip creators natively in cry ...

Core Viewpoint - Rumble Inc. has launched Rumble Shorts, a new platform for short-form videos, emphasizing its commitment to free speech and creator monetization [1][3]. Group 1: Product Launch - Rumble Shorts is now available on the web and will be launched on mobile apps later this month [1]. - The platform features short vertical videos that are 90 seconds or less, presented in a continuous, swipeable feed [2][3]. Group 2: User Engagement and Monetization - Users can easily consume content from their favorite creators, discover new ones, and send tips through Rumble Wallet, which supports platform growth and monetization [2]. - Rumble Shorts aims to enhance creator discovery and provide more opportunities for creators to grow and earn revenue [3]. Group 3: Company Mission - Rumble positions itself as a "Freedom-First technology platform," dedicated to protecting free expression and customer independence [4].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a neutral investment rating for the cryptocurrency industry, suggesting that the expected price movement over the next 3-6 months will be within -5% to 5% relative to the broader market [29] Core Insights - The cryptocurrency market has shown signs of recovery, with total market capitalization reaching $3.1 trillion, a 3.7% increase from the previous week. Bitcoin's closing price was $90,513, up 0.6%, while Ethereum's price was $3,083, down 1.3% [10][18] - The employment data from the U.S. showed a non-farm payroll increase of 50,000, below the expected 60,000, and an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which was also lower than the anticipated 4.5%. This has led traders to increase bets on the Federal Reserve pausing interest rate cuts [10][18] - The cryptocurrency fear and greed index is currently at 40, indicating a neutral sentiment that fluctuated throughout the week [13] - Global cryptocurrency trading volume increased by 52.9% week-over-week, ending a six-week decline, with Coinbase's spot trading volume rising by 62.8% [18][19] Summary by Sections Market Review - The total cryptocurrency market capitalization for the week was $3.11 trillion, reflecting a 3.7% increase. Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced price changes of +0.6% and -1.3%, respectively [10][15] - The employment data released indicated a slowdown in hiring, influencing market sentiment towards a potential pause in interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [10] Global Policy and Industry News - The U.S. Senate will review the CLARITY Act on January 15, which may impact the regulatory landscape for digital assets [20] - Major developments include the launch of tokenized deposit services by Bank of New York Mellon and the introduction of the Nasdaq CME Cryptocurrency Index (NCI) [20][24] - Brazil's presidential candidate plans to include Bitcoin in the national reserves, reflecting a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in governmental financial strategies [22] Company News - MSCI has decided not to remove Bitcoin treasury company Strategy from its index but will not increase its stock count, affecting its index weight [25] - Walmart has launched Bitcoin and Ethereum transaction services through its OnePay app, allowing customers to use cryptocurrencies for retail purchases [26] - Applied Digital reported a 250% increase in quarterly revenue, driven by high-performance computing hosting services [26] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests monitoring the progress of the CLARITY Act and the potential impact on companies involved in cryptocurrency mining and trading platforms, particularly those with ties to AI data centers and significant power reserves [27]

Core Insights - Traditional finance (TradFi) is rapidly adopting cryptocurrency, moving beyond mere speculation to practical applications in the financial system [2][5][6] Group 1: Major Announcements - JPMorgan is launching JPM Coin on the Canton Network, expanding its blockchain-based settlement system [6] - Barclays has invested in Ubyx, a startup that enables banks and payment firms to settle transactions using stablecoins [6] - Morgan Stanley has filed with the SEC for an Ethereum Trust (ETH ETF), adding Ethereum exposure alongside Bitcoin and Solana [6] - Wyoming has confirmed the launch of its state-backed stablecoin, FRNT, on Solana, showcasing government involvement in crypto infrastructure [6] Group 2: Market Reactions - Major cryptocurrencies fell by 2-3% on the day, with Bitcoin dropping below $90,000 [5] - ZEC experienced a significant decline of 19% following the resignation of its developer team [5] Group 3: Trends and Implications - The current focus is on stablecoins and their role in transaction settlement rather than speculative use cases [7] - Ethereum and Solana are emerging as institutional infrastructures rather than just platforms for retail trading [7] - TradFi institutions are seeking to enhance their existing systems rather than being replaced by crypto technologies [8]

Core Insights - Rumble has launched its Rumble Wallet, allowing users to tip content creators using cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, tether, and tether gold without traditional payment systems [1][2] - The wallet is non-custodial, meaning users retain control of their funds, and is built using Tether's Wallet Development Kit, marking its first live deployment [2] - Rumble positions itself as a free speech alternative to YouTube, appealing to creators seeking independence from advertising and platform moderation [4] Company Developments - The Rumble Wallet is integrated into the Rumble app, providing creators with an additional income stream beyond advertising revenue or subscriptions [3] - Payments for the wallet will be processed by MoonPay, enhancing the user experience [3] - Rumble's stock (RUM) saw a 3% increase in premarket trading, although it remains 50% lower compared to the previous year [5] Industry Context - Tether's CEO emphasized the wallet as a move towards decentralized tools for internet users, allowing millions to support content creators directly [4] - The partnership with Tether, which has made significant investments in Rumble, underscores the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and content creation platforms [4]

Core Viewpoint - Rumble Inc. and Tether have launched the Rumble Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet integrated into the Rumble platform, allowing users to tip creators in cryptocurrencies like Tether (USDT), Tether Gold (XAUt), and Bitcoin (BTC) [1][2]. Group 1: Rumble Wallet Features - The Rumble Wallet eliminates intermediaries such as ad networks and banks, enabling creators to receive direct and fast payments from their audiences [2]. - Built on the Tether Wallet Development Kit (WDK), the wallet allows users to maintain custody of their assets while connecting to a global video-sharing ecosystem [2][3]. - The wallet represents a combination of free speech and decentralized finance, empowering users and creators to engage financially with content [3][4]. Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - MoonPay will facilitate all crypto on- and off-ramps for Rumble Wallet users, allowing seamless transitions between crypto and traditional payment methods like credit cards and PayPal [4]. - The collaboration aims to promote freedom and decentralization, providing users with more control over their financial interactions [4]. Group 3: Company Backgrounds - Rumble is a high-growth video platform focused on restoring the internet to its free and open roots [5]. - Tether is a leader in stablecoin technology, aiming to revolutionize the global financial landscape and promote financial inclusion [6][7]. - MoonPay, founded in 2019, supports over 30 million customers globally and connects traditional payment systems with blockchain technology [8][9].

Summary of Rumble Update Call Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: Rumble - **Industry**: Technology, specifically focusing on video platforms, AI infrastructure, and decentralized financial tools Key Points and Arguments 1. **Transformational Milestones**: Rumble announced three significant milestones: - Acquisition of Northern Data, positioning Rumble as a leader in AI infrastructure with over 22,000 GPUs and nine data centers [3][5] - Tether's $150 million GPU purchase agreement, providing immediate revenue scale and validating Rumble's platform [3][6] - Tether's $100 million advertising commitment to enhance creator monetization on Rumble [3][7] 2. **Market Positioning**: Rumble is redefining itself from a video platform to a comprehensive tech ecosystem that competes with major players like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon [4][8] 3. **User Engagement**: Rumble has 47 million monthly active users and an advertising ecosystem capable of handling over a billion ad requests daily [4][5] 4. **Future Plans**: Rumble aims to expand into web tools and a productivity suite, including email and file storage, to further enhance its ecosystem [5] 5. **Strategic Alignment with Tether**: The partnership with Tether is seen as a strategic alignment that will provide Rumble with the necessary infrastructure and financial backing to grow aggressively [6][11] 6. **Advertising and Revenue Growth**: The $100 million advertising commitment from Tether is expected to significantly boost creator growth and platform monetization [7][36] 7. **Seasonal User Trends**: Rumble experienced a seasonal decline in users during the summer months due to creator inactivity, but anticipates a rebound as creators return to the platform [35] 8. **Creator Acquisition Strategy**: With Tether's advertising support, Rumble plans to aggressively pursue new creators, changing the dynamics of creator acquisition and profitability [36][37] Additional Important Content 1. **Decentralization Vision**: Both Rumble and Tether emphasize the importance of decentralization and freedom in technology, aiming to create an open infrastructure that counters the control of big tech [11][12][13] 2. **Global Financial Inclusion**: Tether's CEO highlighted the role of stablecoins in facilitating remittances and financial access for underserved populations, aligning with Rumble's mission to empower creators and communities [24][30] 3. **Long-term Growth Mandate**: Rumble's focus is on aggressive growth while maintaining a commitment to a free and open internet, contrasting with traditional big tech models [8][15] 4. **Non-Custodial Wallet**: The upcoming Rumble Wallet will be a non-custodial wallet, allowing users to engage in various financial transactions beyond just tipping creators [23][24] 5. **Market Dynamics**: The call addressed the need for a counterbalance to the centralization of information and financial systems, advocating for a technology ecosystem that empowers individuals [30][31] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the Rumble Update Call, highlighting the company's ambitions and the transformative partnerships that are set to redefine its market presence.

Core Insights - Rumble Inc. has entered into a $100 million advertising commitment with Tether, which will be executed at $50 million per year over two years starting in Q1 2026 [1] - This agreement follows Rumble's definitive agreement to submit a voluntary exchange offer for Northern Data AG and Tether's commitment to purchase up to $150 million of GPU services from Rumble after the exchange offer closes [1] - Tether's support is expected to enhance Rumble's efforts towards creating a freer and more open digital ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of freedom, transparency, and innovation in creator monetization and digital advertising [1] Advertising Commitment Highlights - Tether's commitment to Rumble's platform underscores the significance of free speech and creator monetization in the future of advertising [3] - The integration of advertising with Rumble Wallet aims to foster a transparent and privacy-focused monetization environment for creators and users [3] - The commitment is anticipated to drive engagement with Rumble Wallet, which facilitates seamless payments in USD₮, XAU₮, and BTC [7] Ecosystem and Monetization Expansion - The partnership is expected to expand monetization opportunities for both new and existing creators on Rumble, promoting freedom of speech within their communities [7] - The collaboration will accelerate the development of new advertising solutions and attract a wave of new creators to the platform [7]

Core Insights - Rumble Inc. has signed a business combination agreement with Northern Data AG, which will enhance Rumble Cloud's portfolio by adding approximately 22,000 Nvidia GPUs and a globally distributed network of data centers [1][13] - The transaction is a significant step towards Rumble's vision of a Freedom-First technology platform, emphasizing freedom, privacy, independence, and resilience in technology [1][3] - Following the completion of the exchange offer, Northern Data will be delisted [1] Group 1: Transaction Overview - The business combination will allow Rumble to scale its cloud business and expand internationally, providing significant revenue growth opportunities [2][10] - Rumble will offer 2.0281 newly issued Class A shares for each Northern Data share, resulting in approximately 30.4% pro forma ownership for Northern Data shareholders [10][39] - Tether has committed to becoming an anchor customer of the combined group after the closing of the transaction [8] Group 2: Strategic Benefits - The transaction will create one of the largest GPU estates in Europe, enhancing Rumble's capabilities in AI and high-performance computing [2][13] - Rumble aims to accelerate innovation in its video business and expand its creator, video, and advertising AI roadmap with the new GPU resources [9][10] - The combined entity will focus on building a full-stack cloud platform, enhancing its mission to protect a free and open internet [6] Group 3: Future Vision - Rumble's Freedom-First initiative aims to empower individuals rather than allowing control by large tech companies, promoting a future rooted in free speech and privacy [4][5] - The transaction is expected to facilitate the development of new verticals, including financial services and AI solutions, furthering Rumble's ecosystem [5][10] - Rumble's strategic partnership with Tether and Northern Data positions it as a disruptive force in the AI infrastructure market [5][18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $25,100,000, representing a 12% increase year over year, driven by a $1,700,000 increase in audience monetization revenues and a $900,000 increase in other initiatives [21][22] - Adjusted EBITDA loss improved to $20,500,000 compared to a loss of $28,700,000 last year, an $8,200,000 improvement primarily related to the increase in revenue and expiration of programming and content agreements [22] - The company ended the quarter with total liquidity of $306,400,000, including $283,800,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $22,600,000 in Bitcoin holdings [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Audience monetization revenue increased due to Rumble Premium and local subscriptions, licensing, and tipping, offset by a decline in advertising revenue [21] - ARPU increased to $0.42, up 24% sequentially, indicating enhanced monetization strategy attributable to higher subscription and licensing revenue [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained 51,000,000 MAUs, marking the eighth consecutive quarter above the 50,000,000 mark, and showing growth compared to the post-midterm elections number in Q2 2023 [9] - The company is seeing increased interest in its cloud business, entering RFP processes with multiple governments and corporate entities, competing with major players like Amazon and Google [50] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on M&A strategy and evaluating strategic opportunities, including a potential acquisition of AI company Northern Data [5][6] - The launch of Rumble Wallet is anticipated to drive growth for Rumble's video platform, both domestically and internationally, with a focus on onboarding new creators [15][19] - The company aims for aggressive growth while protecting a free and open Internet, leveraging partnerships, particularly with Tether [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth of advertising revenue, indicating that CPMs are expected to rise in future quarters [28] - The company is optimistic about the impact of Rumble Wallet on MAU growth, especially in international markets [45][46] - Management highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving future growth and the positive momentum in building out these partnerships [12][16] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a shift in corporate America, which is seen as a potential tailwind for growth, with notable partnerships being formed [10][11] - The company is actively working on integrating AI into its cloud business, which is viewed as a significant growth opportunity [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on advertising growth and RAC - Management confirmed that advertising remains a high priority and is seeing increased publisher inventory coming into RAC, indicating potential growth opportunities [28][29] Question: Onboarding new creators - The company plans to onboard creators using Rumble Studio, which allows multi-streaming across platforms, incentivizing them to promote Rumble Wallet [30][31] Question: Path to positive gross profit and EBITDA - Management indicated that with current financial resources and partnerships, the company is moving towards adjusted EBITDA breakeven, though aggressive growth remains a priority [34][35] Question: MAU evolution and ARPU growth - Management expressed satisfaction with MAU growth, especially without the presence of a major creator, and attributed ARPU growth to successful execution of Rumble Premium [39][40] Question: Marketing initiatives for Rumble Wallet - The marketing strategy will involve both Rumble creators and off-platform initiatives to drive growth for both Rumble Wallet and the video platform [42][43]