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Digital advertising platform Thumzup Media plans to pay influencers in Dogecoin starting in North America and Europe, the company announced Wednesday. The Los Angeles-based firm will offer content creators an alternative to traditional bank transfers through cryptocurrency payments, promising faster settlement and lower transaction fees.
The move makes Thumzup one of the first US ad-tech companies to implement crypto-based micropayments at scale for influencer compensation. Creators on the platform will earn Dogecoin for producing promotional content for partner brands, with payments settling within minutes rather than the typical 30-60 day cycles common in influencer marketing.
“Incorporating Dogecoin into our system makes our rewards platform more scalable and effective,” said CEO Robert Steele. “It aligns with our mission to provide seamless and real-time payments to the crypto-friendly creator community.”
The company plans a phased rollout to ensure regulatory compliance and technical stability, though it has not disclosed specific launch dates or the number of influencers expected to participate.
Thumzup’s commitment to digital assets extends beyond payment processing. As of September 30, the company’s treasury held 19 Bitcoin and 7.5 million Dogecoin, according to company filings. The firm began building its crypto reserves in January with a $1 million Bitcoin purchase.
In addition to holding crypto, Thumzup has extended a $2.5 million loan to DogeHash, a Dogecoin mining operation, to support its expansion. The company is also exploring diversification into other digital assets including Litecoin, Solana, Ripple, Ether, and USD Coin.
“Our treasury strategy is designed for both operational use and long-term growth,” said CFO Anna Kwan.
The holdings demonstrate that Thumzup is positioning itself as more than just a payments facilitator, but as an active participant in the crypto economy with significant exposure to digital asset price movements.
The timing of Thumzup’s Dogecoin initiative comes as the memecoin faces headwinds. DOGE has declined approximately 24% over the past week and currently trades around $0.197, making it the worst performer among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
The volatility raises questions about how creators will respond to compensation in an asset that can fluctuate significantly. The company has not disclosed whether it will offer immediate conversion to fiat currency or if creators must hold their earnings in Dogecoin.
Some analysts remain optimistic about Dogecoin’s long-term trajectory. Market strategist Trader Tardigrade suggested the token’s chart structure resembles the 2014-2017 cycle and predicted a potential rally to $1.60 by early 2026, though such predictions remain speculative.
Thumzup’s initiative reflects growing interest in cryptocurrency payments within the digital advertising sector. Traditional payment rails often impose high fees and lengthy settlement times, particularly for international transactions and micropayments, areas where blockchain-based systems can offer advantages.
However, adoption challenges remain. Many creators may lack familiarity with cryptocurrency wallets, tax reporting for crypto income remains complex, and regulatory frameworks for crypto payments are still evolving in many jurisdictions.
The company’s phased approach suggests awareness of these hurdles. By launching first in North America and Europe, where crypto regulations are more established, Thumzup can refine its model before expanding to other markets.
While Thumzup has positioned its Dogecoin payment system as transformative, critical details remain unclear. The company has not disclosed how many of its current influencers have expressed interest in crypto payments, what percentage of transactions it expects to process in Dogecoin, or whether the system will be mandatory or optional.
The success of the initiative will likely depend on several factors: whether creators see tangible benefits over traditional payments, how the company handles tax reporting and compliance, and whether Dogecoin’s price stabilizes enough to make it practical for regular compensation.
Industry observers will be watching to see if other influencer platforms follow suit. If Thumzup can demonstrate cost savings and faster payments without significant friction, crypto-based influencer compensation could gain traction. If adoption proves limited, it may remain a niche offering for crypto-enthusiastic creators.
For now, Thumzup’s bet on Dogecoin represents an experiment in whether meme-inspired cryptocurrency can function as serious business infrastructure in the advertising economy.
