Thumzup announced plans to integrate Dogecoin (DOGE) as an optional payout mechanism within its app, positioning cryptocurrency rewards alongside its existing cash reward system to reduce reliance on traditional banking rails and accelerate cross-border micro-payments. The company described DOGE rewards as complementary to cash payouts, intending to expand user choice without displacing established payment options, and emphasized that no firm timeline for full rollout had been disclosed as of October 15, 2025. The announcement framed the integration as a response to persistent friction in micropayments, noting that bypassing traditional intermediaries can speed settlement and lower per-transaction costs for small-value transfers. Thumzup said the initiative builds on prior digital-asset efforts and board-approved crypto exposure, signaling a broader corporate strategy to diversify payment rails and treasury flexibility. The company’s strategic rationale highlighted Dogecoin’s transaction speed and low fees as technical attributes suited to scalable micro-payment workflows, which the firm views as central to monetizing short-form social content globally. The integration seeks to attract creators who prefer crypto-denominated rewards, leveraging DOGE’s community appeal to broaden the platform’s user base, while potentially improving unit economics by reducing payout overhead. Executives positioned the move as consistent with a broader effort to democratize social media monetization, although they acknowledged operational and regulatory complexities that accompany digital-asset payouts. The current reward model delivers cash for authentic content tied to advertisers, and the proposed dual payout mechanism would let users opt for DOGE as an alternative, which could increase engagement through added flexibility. Technically, using Dogecoin is expected to enable near-instant settlement across borders, enhancing the creator experience compared with slower bank-based transfers, yet this relies on network capacity and wallet integrations functioning at scale. Economically, lower transaction fees are forecast to reduce marginal costs per payout, but volatility in crypto markets introduces conversion and valuation risks for recipients who may prefer stable fiat. Thumzup’s crypto posture includes a diversified treasury with holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and roughly $2 million each in Bitcoin and Dogecoin, alongside mining operations expanded through a merger with DogeHash. The initiative may expand DOGE’s practical utility, though careful implementation and regulatory compliance will be necessary to manage counterparty, custody, and market risks. The company also noted that integration efforts remain contingent on technical validation. This approach also leverages auto-conversion to fiat to mitigate volatility risks for users who prefer more stable payout options.
