Rumble, the Nasdaq-listed video-sharing company, has officially entered the cryptocurrency space with a $17.1 million Bitcoin purchase.

This purchase follows through on Rumble’s earlier stated intentions. CEO Chris Pavlovski had previously announced plans to allocate up to $20 million of the company’s cash reserves to Bitcoin as part of a treasury diversification strategy.

Nasdaq-listed video-sharing company Rumble has officially entered the cryptocurrency space with the purchase of Bitcoin (BTC) for $17.1 million, the company announced on Friday.

What Happened: According to the statement, Rumble has acquired 188 Bitcoin at an average price of $91,000 per coin. This follows through on the company’s earlier stated intentions.

Earlier this year, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski announced plans to allocate up to $20 million of the company’s cash reserves to Bitcoin as part of a treasury diversification strategy. The timing of the first Bitcoin purchases has political connections.

On January 20, 2025, which coincided with President Trump’s inauguration day, Rumble made its initial crypto investment. The exact amount of that first purchase was not disclosed at the time. This latest announcement brings transparency to the company’s cryptocurrency holdings and strategy.

Flexibility remains a key part of Rumble’s approach to digital assets. The company stated that the “Bitcoin allocation strategy may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time” depending on various factors such as changes in management’s economic outlook, market conditions, or the company’s cash needs.

Crucially, the statement from Rumble also hints at the possibility of further crypto investments in the future.

“Depending on the price movements of Bitcoin and the cash requirements of the company, we may make additional purchases of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies,” the company noted.

Why It's Important: Pavlovski highlighted inflation concerns as a major motivation behind the Bitcoin purchase. He described the holdings as “a valuable hedge against inflation” compared to government currencies that can be “overprinted.”

The CEO also emphasized how this move aligns with Rumble’s broader business evolution.

“We are proud to officially hold Bitcoin as we continue to grow and engrain crypto into our company’s DNA,” Pavlovski said.

Earlier this year, Tether, which issues the world’s largest stablecoin, invested $775 million in Rumble. A portion of Tether’s investment has specific allocations. The company earmarked $250 million for growth initiatives, which include the development of Rumble’s cloud services division.

Rumble has been working to diversify its technology offerings. Earlier this year, the company secured a cloud services agreement with El Salvador’s government, signed on January 10.

The platform also maintains connections to former President Trump’s media ventures. Rumble hosts Truth Social, Trump’s alternative social media application launched after his removal from mainstream platforms.

This Bitcoin acquisition comes during a challenging period for cryptocurrency markets. Digital assets have experienced sharp declines following their post-election rally, affected by recession fears and inflation concerns related to proposed tariffs.

Despite the market downturn, institutional interest in Bitcoin continues to grow. By adding Bitcoin to its treasury, Rumble joins other public companies like Metaplanet that have embraced cryptocurrency as a treasury asset.

The announcement had mixed effects on Rumble’s stock performance. Shares declined 2.38% during the regular trading session but rebounded nearly 4% in pre-market trading to reach $8.1.

Any future Bitcoin purchases will be determined by Rumble’s management. The company stated that additional acquisitions would depend on market conditions, Bitcoin pricing, and Rumble’s own financial requirements.