Rumble to Acquire Northern Data with Tether's Backing: A Bold AI Play

Rumble and Northern Data: A Strategic Alliance in the AI Arena

Video-sharing platform Rumble has announced a business combination agreement with AI infrastructure company Northern Data, signaling its commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities and diversifying its revenue streams. The announcement follows its deepening financial ties with stablecoin issuer Tether.

According to Rumble's notice, the acquisition of Northern Data will proceed following the August announcement with Tether as part of a joint venture to purchase the AI infrastructure company. Reuters reported the acquisition's value at approximately $767 million, structured as a stock deal between Rumble and Northern Data.

Tether invested $775 million into Rumble in December 2024, citing the platform’s “fundamental values of freedom of speech and financial freedom,” according to Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. Ardoino joined Rumble’s investor call for the third quarter of 2025, confirming Tether had agreed to a $150 million GPU service purchasing deal as part of the Northern Data acquisition, along with a $100 million advertising deal.

Why are Crypto Companies Investing in AI?

The interest of cryptocurrency companies in AI is driven by several factors. Firstly, AI represents a promising area for growth and expansion, where it can be used to improve operational efficiency and develop new products and services. Secondly, AI can help cryptocurrency companies combat fraud and improve security. Thirdly, AI can help cryptocurrency companies achieve their goals of decentralization and transparency.

During the investor call, Ardoino stated, “Our investment in Rumble is about building infrastructure that protects freedoms. We share the same vision of creating open platforms as a counterweight to centralized, censor-prone Big Tech.”

Following Tether's 2024 investment, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski hinted at plans to challenge YouTube’s market share. The share price of the company’s RUM stock on Nasdaq rose approximately 7.6% in the preceding five days, reaching $6.42 at the time of publication.

Crypto Companies Snapping Up AI Deals

Tether’s joint interest in Northern Data with Rumble represents the latest acquisition involving a cryptocurrency or blockchain company expanding into AI services. In January, Chainalysis acquired the AI fraud detection startup Alterya for a reported $150 million as part of the blockchain analytics company’s expansion to enhance “proactive fraud protection for payments and enhanced fraud detection.” Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings followed suit in August, signing a $168 million deal to acquire a 64% stake in Exaion, a French company providing AI and cloud infrastructure.