Rumble Considers $1.17 Billion Acquisition of Tether-Backed Northern Data to Boost AI Cloud Capabilities

Rumble, Northern Data Weigh $4.5 Billion AI Cloud Merger

Rumble Inc. is weighing an offer to buy German data center company Northern Data AG in an all-stock deal valuing the target at about $1.17 billion that would boost the conservative video service's bid to become a cloud-computing provider. Rumble has proposed paying 2.319 new shares for each Northern Data share, the companies said in separate statements on Sunday and Monday. That would value Northern Data's stock at about $18.27 apiece, a steep discount to the company's share price of €23.02 ($26.81) as of Friday's closing price. Northern Data shareholders would end up owning about a third of Rumble.

Rumble considers near $1.2 billion offer for German AI cloud group Northern Data

Aug 10 (Reuters) - U.S.-listed video platform Rumble (RUM.O), opens new tab is considering a potential offer of about $1.17 billion (1 billion euro) for German AI cloud group Northern Data AG (NB2.DE), opens new tab, according to separate statements from the companies and Reuters calculations. Rumble, also a cloud services provider, said a deal would integrate Northern Data's data center business and GPU cloud business with a significant number of Nvidia GPUs, into Rumble's existing operations. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The exchange values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share (about 15.69 euros per share), based on Reuters calculations. This is at a discount of about 32% to the German company's last close. Rumble said its proposed offer assumes Northern Data's Peak Mining unit will be divested prior to the completion of the deal. Tether, the majority shareholder of Northern Data, has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. However, the companies said there is no certainty that the discussions will eventually result in a formal offer for the German group. (1 euro = $1.1664) Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Truth Social host Rumble weighs near $1.2 billion deal for Northern Data

Aug 11 (Reuters) - Video platform Rumble (RUM.O), opens new tab, which hosts U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social, is weighing boosting its global AI cloud capabilities by acquiring Germany's Northern Data (NB2.DE), opens new tab, the companies said. Rumble said it was considering making an offer for the company which would give it control of Northern Data's cloud business, Taiga, and its large-scale data center arm, Ardent, with plans to integrate both into its own operations. The Taiga cloud unit holds a significant inventory of Nvidia graphics processing unit (GPU) chips, including around 20,480 H100s and over 2,000 H200s, Rumble said. "Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs," Rumble said. Under a potential exchange offer, Tether is expected to be Rumble's largest single holder of its class A common stock and the majority of voting rights would continue to lie with Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski, Rumble said. Tether currently owns 48% of Rumble, according to LSEG data. It invested $775 million in the video platform in December last year. Tether holds 54% of Northern Data, according to Rumble. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The proposed offer values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share, based on Reuters calculations, and represents a discount of about 32% to the German company's last closing price in Frankfurt. Reuters calculated the potential total deal value at approximately $1.17 billion. A deal on the current terms would result in Northern Data shareholders owning about 33.3% of Rumble's shares. The offer launch would be subject to due diligence, among other things. Northern Data said on Monday that its board was evaluating Rumble's potential offer and is open for further discussions. Tether has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. However, the companies said there was no certainty that the discussions would ultimately result in a formal offer for the German group. Tether had no immediate comment. CRYPTO MINER SALE Rumble went public in December 2021 via a SPAC deal. Earlier that year it said its investors included tech billionaire Peter Thiel and Narya, an investment firm co-founded by JD Vance, now U.S. vice president. The proposed deal would also involve Northern Data selling its crypto mining business, Peak Mining, and using the proceeds to repay part of an existing loan from Tether to Northern Data, Rumble said. Tether loaned, opens new tab Northern Data 575 million euros almost two years ago to expand its own business. Tether is the world's largest stablecoin company. Based in El Salvador, it says it has issued more than $160 billion of its dollar-pegged cryptocurrency. Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru, Elizabeth Howcroft in Paris, Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt and Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm. Additional reporting by Hakan Ersen; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Anousha Sakoui and Aidan Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Rumble weighs near $1.2 billion bid for German AI cloud firm Northern Data

Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S. video platform and cloud services provider Rumble (RUM.O), opens new tab is considering an offer of about $1.17 billion (1 billion euros) for German AI cloud group Northern Data (NB2.DE), opens new tab, according to statements from both companies. Rumble said on Sunday that a deal would give it control of Northern Data's GPU-rich cloud business, Taiga, and its large-scale data center arm, Ardent, with plans to integrate both into its own operations. The Taiga cloud unit holds a significant inventory of Nvidia GPU chips, including around 20,480 H100s and over 2,000 H200s. Northern Data said on Monday that its board is evaluating Rumble's potential offer and is open for further discussions. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The proposed offer values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share, based on Reuters calculations, and represents a discount of about 32% to the German company's last closing price in Frankfurt. Reuters calculated the potential total deal value at approximately $1.17 billion. A deal on the current terms would result in Northern Data shareholders owning about 33.3% of Rumble's shares. Both companies said that a final offer, if made, is expected to be at a higher valuation. Stablecoin platform Tether, the majority shareholder of Northern Data, has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. A potential offer assumes that Northern Data's crypto mining unit will be divested prior to the completion of the deal, with proceeds from the sale used to reduce the existing loan extended by Tether to Northern Data. "Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs," Rumble said. However, the companies said there is no certainty that the discussions will ultimately result in a formal offer for the German group. (1 euro = $1.1664) Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Bitcoin Treasury Company Rumble Eyes $1.17 Billion Acquisition of Tether-Owned AI Firm - Decrypt

Northern Data also said it would sell its Bitcoin mining business in a separate deal. YouTube rival and Bitcoin treasury Rumble wants to boost its global AI cloud capabilities by acquiring Germany's Northern Data. Rumble said Monday that it has proposed a deal to gain control of Northern Data's cloud business, Taiga, and its large-scale data center arm, Ardent, in a $1.17 billion all-stock transaction. Northern Data -- which stablecoin issuer Tether has a controlling stake in -- said Monday that it would sell its crypto mining business, Peak Mining, to private Bitcoin miner Elektron Energy in a separate deal for $235 million. Tether supports Rumble's acquisition plans, the streaming platform said in an announcement. "Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs," Rumble said in a statement. Stablecoin issuer Tether last year said that it would invest $775 million in Rumble's platform, starting with a $250 million cash plug. The El Salvador-based Tether works to mint USDT, the fourth-biggest cryptocurrency by market cap. USDT is a stablecoin pegged to and backed by the U.S. dollar, and it's considered a key part of the crypto ecosystem. Rumble is a Canadian company that allows users to stream and post videos. It competes with YouTube, and trades on the Nasdaq as RUM. The platform differentiates itself by supporting free speech, and has been popular with American conservative creators and conspiracy theorists alike. Rumble last year started putting Bitcoin on its balance sheet, and now holds 210.8 BTC worth over $25 million at today's prices. RUM finished the trading day up about 3% Monday, but remains down about 34% since the start of the year.

Tether and Rumble bet on AI with $1.17B Northern Data acquisition

Tether and Rumble have announced a proposal for the joint acquisition of all Northern Data shares, taking full control of the artificial intelligence infrastructure company. According to a Monday Rumble announcement, the deal would build on Northern Data's existing AI and high-performance computing (HPC) operations. Tether, the issuer of the USDt (USDT) stablecoin and already Northern Data's largest shareholder, would support the transaction. At the time, Tether hinted at future collaborations involving AI, peer-to-peer communications and data storage solutions. Tether is the centerpiece connecting every company involved in the potential deal, with the firm investing $775 million in the anti-censorship YouTube alternative Rumble at the end of 2024. The two firms deepened their collaboration in May, when Rumble announced its USDT-supporting Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoin wallet. Related: Tether's US Treasury holdings hit $127B, surpassing South Korea Northern Data's business is split into three divisions: Taiga Cloud, which offers GPU cloud services; Ardent Data Center, which provides data infrastructure; and Peak Mining, a Bitcoin mining operation. The company has indicated plans to sell the mining unit to focus on AI and HPC. Proceeds from the sale would be reinvested into those areas. If the deal goes through, each Northern Data shareholder that tenders its shares is expected to receive 2.319 newly issued Class A Rumble shares for each Northern Data share. This would lead to approximately 33.3% of Rumble ownership being ceded to Northern Data shareholders. Related: Tether posts $4.9B profit in Q2 as stablecoins go mainstream Based on Rumble's closing price of $7.88 on Friday, the offer values Northern Data shares at $18.27, or roughly $1.17 billion in total. The deal is also subject to adjustment for the potential sale of Bitcoin mining unit Peak Mining. "Following completion of the Potential Offer, Tether is expected to become the single largest holder of Rumble's Class A common stock," the announcement states. Tether would also amend the current loan to Northern Data to provide "sufficient financial headway for the acquired business." Tether issued 575 million euros ($610 million) in debt financing to the company in late 2023.

Rumble considers near $1.2 billion offer for German AI cloud group Northern Data - The Economic Times

Video platform Rumble is considering a $1.17 billion bid for German AI cloud group Northern Data AG. The proposed offer would integrate Northern Data's data centre and GPU cloud businesses with Rumble's operations. Tether, Northern Data's majority shareholder, supports the transaction, though no formal offer is guaranteed.US-listed video platform Rumble is considering a potential offer of about $1.17 billion (€1 billion) for German AI cloud group Northern Data AG , according to separate statements from the companies and Reuters calculations. Rumble, also a cloud services provider, said a deal would integrate Northern Data's data centre business and GPU cloud business with a significant number of Nvidia GPUs, into Rumble's existing operations. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The exchange values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share (about €15.69 per share), based on Reuters calculations. This is at a discount of about 32% to the German company's last close. Rumble said its proposed offer assumes Northern Data's Peak Mining unit will be divested prior to the completion of the deal. Tether, the majority shareholder of Northern Data, has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. However, the companies said there is no certainty that the discussions will eventually result in a formal offer for the German group. (€1 = $1.1664)

Rumble Announces Intent to Acquire AI Company Northern Data

Rumble has notified Northern Data of its interest in a potential all-stock exchange offer for 100% of the outstanding shares of Northern Data Transaction would create a leading force in freedom-first infrastructure supported by Rumble's existing balance sheet Tether, the majority shareholder of Northern Data, has indicated it would support the transaction Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Aug. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM) ("Rumble"), the video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, confirmed today that, consistent with the announcement made concurrently by Northern Data AG (ETR: NB2), a leading provider of AI and High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions ("Northern Data"), Rumble has informed Northern Data of its interest in pursuing a potential exchange offer (the "Potential Offer"). The shareholders of Northern Data would receive newly issued Class A shares of Rumble common stock in exchange for their Northern Data shares tendered in the Potential Offer. As indicated in its press release, Northern Data is willing to entertain further discussions with Rumble relating to the Potential Offer. To the extent a transaction is consummated, the combined company would emphasize not only AI leadership, but also data privacy and independence on a global scale. The key terms of the Potential Offer are expected to include or result in the following: Rumble's Potential Offer assumes that Northern Data's Peak Mining unit would be disposed prior to completion of a Potential Offer, with net proceeds from that transaction used to reduce existing loan that Tether has extended to Northern Data. Rumble's Potential Offer further assumes the remaining loan would remain outstanding following completion of the Potential Offer on modified terms and would continue to be an obligation of Northern Data. Rumble would seek to structure the loan such that Rumble and its pre-transaction subsidiaries would not have any obligation or liability with respect to this loan. Rumble believes the Potential Offer, if completed, would fundamentally transform Rumble into a global AI cloud leader. Upon acquiring all outstanding Northern Data shares, Rumble expects that it would integrate Ardent, Northern Data's data center business, and Taiga, Northern Data's GPU as a service business, into Rumble's existing operations. The Taiga business has a significant number of Nvidia GPUs, including approximately 20,480 H100s and 2,048 H200s. Ardent and Northern Data Group have five owned data center sites with energized capacity potential of nearly 850 MW, alongside several strategically located co-located sites. This owned energized capacity includes its site in Maysville, Georgia which, upon completion, is anticipated to deliver up 180MW of capacity. Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry and the most widely used dollar stablecoin in the world, has advised Rumble that it supports the Potential Offer. When Tether made its $775M investment into Rumble in February 2025, it was predicated on the mutual desire to challenge big tech in all areas - with a deep focus on video and cloud. Tether has indicated that in connection with the Potential Offer it would, subject to agreement of definitive documentation, commit to the following: The Potential Offer and related transactions would be the latest step towards Rumble's and Tether's shared vision to democratize compute while providing unfettered access to infrastructure. This would all be achieved by the delivery of GPU as a service and data center power - both of which would leverage Rumble's existing high-growth cloud business. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This release does not constitute a public tender offer, and it should not be understood or interpreted to be a decision by Rumble to launch a public tender offer and any such offer, if launched, would be based on an offer document that would include all terms and conditions of the Potential Offer. The Potential Offer, if launched, may only be accepted on the basis of said offer document. NO FINAL DECISION There can be no guarantee that Rumble's current intentions will eventually lead to the launch of the Potential Offer, or the launch of any other public tender offer or similar transaction. Likewise, there is no guarantee that Tether or any other key shareholder will ultimately agree to support the Potential Offer. Neither Rumble nor Tether nor any other key shareholder has entered into any binding agreements with respect to the Potential Offer. Any final decision by Rumble to launch the Potential Offer will be subject to, among other things, the following: Advisors Guggenheim Securities LLC is acting as financial advisor and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is serving as legal counsel to Rumble. General Information Rumble reserves the right, in its sole discretion, whether or not to launch the Potential Offer and to amend the terms and conditions of the Potential Offer as compared to those set out in this release. Given the ongoing discussions amongst all parties involved, the terms of the Potential Offer, if announced, including the offer price, may differ substantially from those set out in this release. Any final decision to launch the Potential Offer would be announced by way of a press release in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Potential Offer, if launched, will be implemented in accordance with the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. As the shares of Northern Data are listed in the open market (Freiverkehr), it will not be subject to the German Securities Acquisition and Trading Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Übernahmegesetz). The Potential Offer, if launched, will not be filed, published or publicly advertised pursuant to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America. Rumble assumes no responsibility for the publication, dispatch, distribution or dissemination of any documents connected with the Potential Offer outside the Federal Republic of Germany, the Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the United States being compatible with the applicable requirements of jurisdictions other than those of the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. Furthermore, Rumble assumes no responsibility for the non-compliance of third parties with any laws. The information is provided in good faith and is intended for informational purposes and to comply with applicable laws and requirements. The information is not intended to constitute, and does not constitute, an offer or part of an offer to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or an invitation or solicitation of an offer to purchase or otherwise acquire any securities. The final terms of the Potential Offer, if launched, may differ from the basic information described in this release. Shareholders of Rumble and Northern Data are strongly advised to read the offer document, the prospectus relating to Rumble shares as well as all other documents related to the Potential Offer, as they will contain important information. To the extent permissible under applicable law, Rumble may purchase, or conclude agreements to purchase, shares in Northern Data, directly or indirectly, or enter into derivative transactions with respect to the shares in Northern Data, outside of the Potential Offer, before, during or after the period in which the Potential Offer remains open for acceptance. This applies to other securities which are directly convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for shares in Northern Data. These purchases may be completed via the stock exchange at market prices or outside the stock exchange in negotiated transactions. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required by law or regulation in Germany, the United States and any other relevant jurisdiction. Information for Shareholders Shareholders are advised that the shares in Northern Data are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Northern Data is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. If the Potential Offer is launched, it will be launched for the issued and outstanding shares in Northern Data, which is domiciled in Germany, and is subject to German disclosure and procedural requirements. If the Potential Offer is launched, it will be made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act, and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of German law, including with respect to the timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which may differ different from those of the United States. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be commenced except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). If and when the Potential Offer (or any other exchange offer) is launched, any such offer to exchange Northern Data's shares for Rumble shares, if launched, will only be made pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 and related information statement and other relevant documents to be filed by Rumble with the SEC. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Northern Data are strongly advised to read the registration statement and related information statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Potential Offer (or any other exchange offer), if and when launched, as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Holders of Northern Data shares will need to make their own decision whether to tender shares in the Potential Offer (or any other exchange offer), if and when launched. Investors and security holders of Northern Data will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and related information statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Rumble through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. If and when the Potential Offer (or any other exchange offer) is launched, Rumble and its directors, executive officers and other members of its management and employees may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Rumble's stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Information concerning the interests of Rumble's participants in any such solicitation, if applicable, which may, in some cases, be different from those of Rumble's stockholders generally, will be set forth in materials to be filed by Rumble with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge (when available) from the sources indicated above. Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in this release. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and include, for example, statements about our intentions or ability to potentially acquire Northern Data; our interest in pursuing the Potential Offer; Northern Data's willingness to engage with Rumble with respect to the Potential Offer; indications with respect to the intention by Tether or any other key shareholder to support the Potential Offer and sell its Northern Data shares to Rumble; the steps required to launch the Potential Offer; Rumble's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to the Potential Offer and, if the Potential Offer is launched and completed, the combined company; expectations relating to Tether becoming an important customer of Rumble following the completion of the Potential Offer; statements that the contemplated transaction, if completed, would fundamentally transform Rumble into a global AI cloud leader; the conditions to the launch of the Potential Offer; the expected timetable for potentially reaching agreement with Northern Data and launching the Potential Offer; the expected terms of the Potential Offer; expectations regarding the potential sale of Northern Data's Peak mining unit prior to the completion of the Potential Offer; and expectations regarding potential modifications to Tether's existing shareholder loan with Northern Data in connection with the completion of the Potential Offer. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "targets," "expects," "endeavors," "forecasts," "could," "will," "may," "future," "likely," "on track to deliver," "continues to," "looks forward to," "is primed to," "plans," "projects," "assumes," "should" or other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from future results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are based on our current beliefs and expectations of our management as of the date of this release. These statements are not guarantees or indicative of future performance. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include the fact that Rumble needs to complete confirmatory due diligence with respect to the proposed transaction and, based on such diligence, may decide to materially alter the terms of the Potential Offer or elect not to pursue the Potential Offer at all; risks relating to whether the steps required to launch the Potential Offer will be completed on a timely basis or at all, including the ability to reach agreement on definitive documentation with Northern Data, Tether and /or other third parties involved in the proposed transaction; risks that, given neither Northern Data nor Tether nor any other key shareholder is legally committed to pursue or enter into the proposed transaction, they may pursue other alternatives to the Potential Offer and terminate discussions with Rumble; potential changes to the terms of the Potential Offer based on completion of due diligence and negotiation with Northern Data; risks that the conditions to launching the Potential Offer are not satisfied, including that Rumble's board of directors, or the management board and/or supervisory board of Northern Data, may choose not to approve the proposed transaction; risks that, even if definitive agreements for the Potential Offer are entered into with Northern Data and Tether, the conditions of the closing of the transaction are not satisfied, including any minimum tender condition of the Potential Offer, receipt of required regulatory approvals or otherwise; the effects of the announcement contained in this press release or, if launched, the Potential Offer on Rumble's or Northern Data's relationships with employees, other business partners or governmental entities; risks that Rumble may not realize the potential benefits of the Potential Offer, including due to the fact that certain of the businesses of Northern Data represent new business lines for Rumble in which it has little prior experience operating or Rumble failing to have access to sufficient capital to maintain and grow the acquired business as planned; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of the companies' control; costs of the proposed transaction; litigation that may arise as a result of the proposed transaction; actual or contingent liabilities assumed by Rumble as a result of the proposed transaction, if launched and completed; and those additional risks, uncertainties and factors described in more detail under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements after the issuance of this release to reflect any future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. See "Important Information" and "No Final Decision" below regarding the Potential Offer, including certain risks, conditions and uncertainties relating thereto. Based on Rumble's pro forma diluted shares outstanding as of June 30, 2025, using the treasury stock method, and closing share prices as of August 8, 2025; on a pro forma basis, this would represent approximately 298.7 million pre-transaction Rumble shares outstanding, which number includes approximately 38.2 million dilutive shares using the treasury stock method (with the aforementioned assumptions), plus approximately 149.3 million newly issued Rumble shares issued to Northern Data shareholders. For the avoidance of doubt, pro forma diluted shares excludes any Rumble earnout securities. Data center and GPU information based on information provided by Northern Data.

Truth Social host Rumble weighs near $1.2 billion deal for Northern Data

(Reuters) -Video platform Rumble, which hosts U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social, is weighing boosting its global AI cloud capabilities by acquiring Germany's Northern Data, the companies said. Rumble said it was considering making an offer for the company which would give it control of Northern Data's cloud business, Taiga, and its large-scale data center arm, Ardent, with plans to integrate both into its own operations. The Taiga cloud unit holds a significant inventory of Nvidia graphics processing unit (GPU) chips, including around 20,480 H100s and over 2,000 H200s, Rumble said. "Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs," Rumble said. Under a potential exchange offer, Tether is expected to be Rumble's largest single holder of its class A common stock and the majority of voting rights would continue to lie with Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski, Rumble said. Tether currently owns 48% of Rumble, according to LSEG data. It invested $775 million in the video platform in December last year. Tether holds 54% of Northern Data, according to Rumble. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The proposed offer values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share, based on Reuters calculations, and represents a discount of about 32% to the German company's last closing price in Frankfurt. Reuters calculated the potential total deal value at approximately $1.17 billion. A deal on the current terms would result in Northern Data shareholders owning about 33.3% of Rumble's shares. The offer launch would be subject to due diligence, among other things. Northern Data said on Monday that its board was evaluating Rumble's potential offer and is open for further discussions. Tether has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. However, the companies said there was no certainty that the discussions would ultimately result in a formal offer for the German group. Rumble went public in December 2021 via a SPAC deal. Earlier that year it said its investors included tech billionaire Peter Thiel and Narya, an investment firm co-founded by JD Vance, now U.S. vice president. The proposed deal would also involve Northern Data selling its crypto mining business, Peak Mining, and using the proceeds to repay part of an existing loan from Tether to Northern Data, Rumble said. Tether loaned Northern Data 575 million euros almost two years ago to expand its own business. Tether is the world's largest stablecoin company. Based in El Salvador, it says it has issued more than $160 billion of its dollar-pegged cryptocurrency. (Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru, Elizabeth Howcroft in Paris, Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt and Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm. Additional reporting by Hakan Ersen; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Anousha Sakoui and Aidan Lewis)

Rumble weighs near $1.2 billion bid for German AI cloud firm Northern Data

(Reuters) -U.S. video platform and cloud services provider Rumble is considering an offer of about $1.17 billion (1 billion euros) for German AI cloud group Northern Data, according to statements from both companies. Rumble said on Sunday that a deal would give it control of Northern Data's GPU-rich cloud business, Taiga, and its large-scale data center arm, Ardent, with plans to integrate both into its own operations. The Taiga cloud unit holds a significant inventory of Nvidia GPU chips, including around 20,480 H100s and over 2,000 H200s. Northern Data said on Monday that its board is evaluating Rumble's potential offer and is open for further discussions. Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, both companies said. The proposed offer values Northern Data at about $18.3 per share, based on Reuters calculations, and represents a discount of about 32% to the German company's last closing price in Frankfurt. Reuters calculated the potential total deal value at approximately $1.17 billion. A deal on the current terms would result in Northern Data shareholders owning about 33.3% of Rumble's shares. Both companies said that a final offer, if made, is expected to be at a higher valuation. Stablecoin platform Tether, the majority shareholder of Northern Data, has expressed support for the transaction, according to the statements. A potential offer assumes that Northern Data's crypto mining unit will be divested prior to the completion of the deal, with proceeds from the sale used to reduce the existing loan extended by Tether to Northern Data. "Following consummation of the potential transaction, Tether would become an important customer of Rumble, with a multi-year commitment to purchase GPUs," Rumble said. However, the companies said there is no certainty that the discussions will ultimately result in a formal offer for the German group. (1 euro = $1.1664) (Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)