Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, has made a $775 million strategic investment in video-sharing platform Rumble, the YouTube alternative known for its focus on free speech and decentralization.

Rumble will use $250 million of the funds to support operational growth and initiatives, while the remainder will fund a tender offer for up to 70 million shares of its common stock at $7.50 per share—the same price Tether is paying for its stake. Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Tether is the perfect partner that can put a rocket pack on the back of Rumble as we prepare for our next phase of growth.”

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted the alignment of values, saying, “Legacy media has eroded trust, creating an opportunity for platforms like Rumble to offer a credible, uncensored alternative. Beyond our initial shareholder stake, Tether intends to drive towards a meaningful advertising, cloud, and crypto payment solutions relationship with Rumble.”

The announcement caused Rumble’s stock (RUM) to surge, jumping 44.6% in aftermarket trading, according to Yahoo Finance. Pavlovski, who retains a controlling stake in the company, called the investment an “immediate liquidity event for all of our stockholders.”

Rumble reported $25.1 million in revenue for Q3 2024, marking a 39% year-over-year increase. However, it also posted a net loss of $31.5 million for the quarter. The platform boasts approximately 67 million average monthly active users and largely serves a conservative-leaning audience.

This move aligns with Tether’s growing portfolio of investments, which has expanded into AI, decentralized messaging, and bitcoin mining. The company earned $2.5 billion in net profit during Q3 2024, leveraging high yields from assets backing its stablecoin.

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