Roundtable CEO James Heckman Rings Nasdaq Closing Bell, Unveiling World’s Only AI/DeFi Platform for Premium Media

Rhea-AI Summary

Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) marked its public debut by ringing the Nasdaq closing bell at the MarketSite in Times Square, led by Founder and CEO James Heckman and the co-founding executive team. The event coincided with the launch of Roundtable’s AI/DeFi-powered enterprise media platform for the professional media industry, following completion of beta network testing and deployment to millions of users across its network.

The platform integrates distribution, publishing, monetization, community, syndication and DeFi payment operations, including integration with Coinbase to provide on-chain wallets and USDC payment rails that enable instant publisher payouts. According to Roundtable, meaningful user activity and revenue are expected to begin in the fourth quarter.

News Explained

The platform has launched and meaningful users and revenue are expected in Q4 2026. The June 30, 2026 cash balance was $492,000, equal to 14.3 days of the latest quarter’s operating cash use; the disclosure therefore establishes launch progress without meaningful current monetization and alongside a limited historical cash-use horizon.

Sources and calculations

• Roundtable platform launch and Nasdaq closing-bell release (2026-08-18)
• RTB Digital second-quarter fundamentals (2026Q2)

• Cash and equivalents vs quarterly operating cash outflow, in days of cash use $492,000 / ($3,104,000 / 90) = [object Object]

Market Context

RTB's prior crypto,AI events recorded 4.15% and 21.56% 24-hour moves, adding a positive historical b...

Analysis

RTB's prior crypto,AI events recorded 4.15% and 21.56% 24-hour moves, adding a positive historical benchmark to this platform launch. The key watchpoint remained conversion of network reach into users and revenue, with execution risk still present.

Key Figures

Network users: millions of users User and revenue timing: Q4

2 metrics

Network users millions of users Across the network after beta testing completion

User and revenue timing Q4 Meaningful users and revenue expected to begin

Previous Crypto,AI Reports

2 past events · Latest: Jul 22 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 22	AI/DeFi platform unveiling	Positive	+4.2%	Platform presentation to UK media executives followed Coinbase integration and a technology partnership.
Jun 22	Payment platform launch	Positive	+21.6%	Real-time onchain payment infrastructure launched with USDC and Coinbase support for publishers.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

The two tag-matched crypto,AI events both aligned with positive 24-hour reactions of 4.15% and 21.56%.

Key Terms

defi, on-chain, usdc, payment rails

4 terms

defi financial

"AI/DeFi-powered enterprise media platform"

DeFi, short for decentralized finance, is a system of financial services built on blockchain technology that operates without traditional banks or intermediaries. It allows people to borrow, lend, trade, and earn interest directly with each other through digital platforms, much like using a peer-to-peer marketplace. For investors, DeFi offers the potential for greater access, transparency, and control over their financial activities.

View in glossary

on-chain technical

"providing on-chain wallet support and USDC payment rails"

On-chain describes actions or data that are recorded directly on a blockchain, a public digital ledger that creates a permanent, time-stamped record of transactions. For investors, on-chain activity provides verifiable evidence of transfers, ownership changes or automated program actions (like contract-driven payments); seeing these entries is like checking a bank statement and helps assess liquidity, settlement finality, fees, and transparency when judging risk and market behavior.

usdc financial

"on-chain wallet support and USDC payment rails"

USDC is a digital token designed to hold the same value as one U.S. dollar, acting like a digital dollar you can use on the internet. Investors care because it provides a quick, low-cost way to move and store value, reduce price swings common in cryptocurrencies, and park cash in trading or payments without converting to traditional bank deposits, though its safety depends on how and where the backing dollars are held.

payment rails financial

"USDC payment rails that enable publishers to be paid"

Payment rails are the networks and systems that move money electronically between buyers, sellers, banks and payment processors—think of them as the roads and tunnels that let cash travel from one place to another. They matter to investors because their speed, cost, reliability and geographic reach affect a business’s ability to collect revenue, control costs, expand into new markets and manage fraud risk, which in turn influences profitability and growth prospects.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Roundtable CEO James Heckman ringing the bell alongside Chairman Walton Comer, CTO Eyal Hertzog, CFO Aly Madhavji, and COO Bill Sornsin. (Source: Nasdaq, Inc. / Vanja Savic)

Founder and CEO James Heckman and the co-founding team rang the closing bell in Times Square as the platform launched, beta network testing complete, millions of users across the network, with meaningful users and revenue expected to begin in Q4.

Seattle , WA, Aug. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RTB Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTB) (“Roundtable” or the “Company”), the world’s only AI/DeFi-powered enterprise media platform built for the professional media industry, on Monday rang the Nasdaq closing bell at the MarketSite in Times Square, celebrating the Company’s public debut and the unveiling of its platform for premium media, joined by partners from across the industry.

Roundtable’s platform has launched, with beta network testing complete and millions of users across the network. Integration with Coinbase, providing on-chain wallet support and USDC payment rails that enable publishers to be paid the instant revenue is earned. The Company expects meaningful users and revenue to begin in the fourth quarter.

Roundtable Founder and CEO James Heckman with Chairman Walton Comer at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square. (Source: Nasdaq, Inc / Vanja Savic)

“Ringing the bell on Nasdaq, as we unveil our platform for the premier media industry, is befitting of the scale of our opportunity, for our customers, consumers, advertisers and especially investors,” said James Heckman, Founder and CEO of Roundtable. “After years building and refining this market-changing platform, Roundtable is now in position to provide true independence, IP security and sustainability for professional media and we’re excited our partners are here to celebrate this milestone for the industry.”

About Roundtable (RTB Digital, Inc.)

Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) is the world’s only AI/DeFi-powered Enterprise Media Platform, integrating distribution, publishing, monetization, community, syndication and DeFi payment operations. The Web3 platform was developed over years by CTO Eyal Hertzog, inventor of DeFi technology, and co-founder James Heckman, creator of the first social network, blogging platform, premium ad marketplace (PMP), social-targeted ad platform, and led digital strategy for News Corp and Yahoo. For more information, visit rtb.io.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements that are characterized by future or conditional words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” and “continue” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations and plans, which contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing and effects of the merger transaction and the integration of the business of RTB into the combined post-merger company and the effects of the overall merger transaction and future operations of the post-merger company. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements, such as the post-merger company being able to maintain its listing on Nasdaq for the common stock, having sufficient capital for its operations and planned business expansion, and developing its business and capturing users for its services. Other risk factors affecting the Company are discussed in detail in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

Press Contact: Casey Craig, press@roundtable.io

IR Contact: ir@roundtable.io

FAQ

What did Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) announce at the Nasdaq closing bell on August 18, 2026?

Roundtable used the Nasdaq closing bell on August 18, 2026, to celebrate its public debut and platform launch. According to Roundtable, the AI/DeFi-powered enterprise media platform has completed beta testing and is now live across a network with millions of users.

What is Roundtable’s AI/DeFi enterprise media platform for premium media (RTB)?

Roundtable’s platform is an AI/DeFi-powered enterprise media system built for the professional media industry. According to Roundtable, it integrates distribution, publishing, monetization, community, syndication and decentralized finance payment operations to support premium media businesses in a single Web3 environment.

How does Coinbase integration work in the Roundtable (RTB) media platform?

Roundtable’s platform integrates with Coinbase to provide on-chain wallet support and USDC payment rails. According to Roundtable, this setup enables publishers on the network to receive payments instantly at the moment revenue is earned through the platform’s DeFi payment infrastructure.

When does Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) expect meaningful users and revenue from its platform?

Roundtable expects meaningful users and revenue from its platform to begin in the fourth quarter. According to Roundtable, the platform has already completed beta network testing and is deployed to millions of users, positioning it for increased commercial activity later in the year.

Who are the key leaders of Roundtable (RTB) involved in the Nasdaq bell ringing?

The Nasdaq bell ringing featured Founder and CEO James Heckman, Chairman Walton Comer, CTO Eyal Hertzog, CFO Aly Madhavji, and COO Bill Sornsin. According to Roundtable, this co-founding team led the celebration of the company’s public debut and platform unveiling.

Where can investors find more information about Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) and its platform?

Investors can find more information about Roundtable and its platform by visiting the company’s website at rtb.io. According to Roundtable, additional inquiries can be directed to press@roundtable.io for media and ir@roundtable.io for investor relations contacts.