Tether Funds Rumble Self-Deals Amid BoE Stablecoin Consultation

Tether is intensifying its stablecoin strategy by deepening ties with Rumble. In October, Tether’s joint venture Tether America and Anchorage Digital announced the launch of USAT, a U.S.-focused stablecoin, to be distributed via Rumble’s new digital wallet. Tether holds 48% of Rumble and has committed $100 million to platform advertising. It also provided a $610 million loan enabling Rumble’s $767 million acquisition of Northern Data AG and agreed to purchase up to $150 million in GPU services once the deal closes. Meanwhile, the Bank of England has opened a consultation on regulating sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins. Proposals include backing 60% of reserves with short-term UK government debt (up to 95% at launch), no interest payments to coinholders, and potential central bank liquidity backstops. Stakeholder feedback is invited until February 10, 2026. In Brazil, new rules will treat stablecoins as foreign exchange, requiring VASPs to report monthly transactions from February 2026. Separately, Coinbase and UK infrastructure provider BVNK ended $2–$2.5 billion acquisition talks, and Japan’s FSA approved a yen-pegged stablecoin by major banks for corporate payments.