Who’s Behind the Bids for TikTok?

Tomorrow, April 5, 2025, marks a crucial deadline for TikTok. The popular short-video app must find a buyer in the U.S. or face a potential ban. This follows an extension from former President Donald Trump, who had originally set the deadline for January. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has faced mounting pressure from U.S. officials, who are concerned about national security risks—mainly regarding the possibility of China accessing U.S. users’ data and influencing the app’s operations.

TikTok’s popularity is undeniable, with a staggering 170 million users in the U.S. alone. As the deadline looms, it’s clear that a deal must be reached quickly. Let’s dive into who’s behind the bids for this highly coveted app.

The Big Players: Who Wants to Buy TikTok?

Several big names have thrown their hats into the ring with bids for TikTok. Each has a different vision for the app’s future, but all are eager to make it part of their empire.

Amazon’s Last-Minute Offer

In a surprising twist, Amazon has made a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok. The retail giant, which already owns platforms like Twitch and Goodreads, submitted its offer this past Wednesday. Amazon’s stock price surged by about 2% after the announcement, signaling investor confidence in the deal’s potential. If Amazon wins the bid, it could use TikTok’s massive user base to boost its presence in the social media and advertising spaces.

Zoop & Hbar Foundation: A Crypto-Inspired Proposal

Zoop, a startup co-founded by Tim Stokely (who also founded the adult-content platform OnlyFans), has teamed up with the Hbar Foundation to submit a bid. Zoop’s mission is to build a platform that rewards creators and their communities directly for their engagement. By merging with the Hbar Foundation, which focuses on secure and fast digital transactions, Zoop aims to reshape the social media landscape and give creators more control and benefits from their content.

AppLovin: A Marketing Giant Eyes TikTok

AppLovin, a mobile marketing platform, has also made a move for TikTok’s assets. Known for providing tools that help mobile app developers grow their businesses, AppLovin has a history of making big acquisitions. The company recently sold off its gaming division for $900 million and shifted its focus to app marketing. With TikTok’s massive user base and strong engagement, AppLovin sees an opportunity to expand its services in new directions.

Perplexity: AI Meets Social Media

Perplexity, a U.S.-based AI search engine, proposed an intriguing merger in January. Their plan would combine Perplexity, TikTok U.S., and other investors into a new entity, with the U.S. government potentially owning up to 50% of the company. The idea behind this proposal is to revamp TikTok’s algorithm and ensure that it remains competitive without creating a monopoly. The company believes it can balance innovation with tech independence—an appealing concept for those concerned with TikTok’s foreign ties.

Blackstone: A Quiet Investor

Blackstone, the private equity firm, is considering a more hands-off approach by taking a minority stake in TikTok. While the firm’s involvement wouldn’t be as prominent as other bidders, its financial backing could help TikTok establish itself as a more independent entity in the U.S. Blackstone would join a group of investors already backing TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and would help reduce Chinese ownership to comply with U.S. regulations.

Oracle: A Major U.S. Tech Player

Oracle, the massive U.S. tech company, is also reportedly in the running. Co-founder Marc Andreessen, a supporter of former President Trump, has shown interest in backing the acquisition. If Oracle comes on board, it could bring a wealth of experience in tech infrastructure, cloud services, and data security. Oracle’s involvement would likely ease concerns about TikTok’s data privacy issues, especially given its status as a trusted U.S.-based tech giant.

The Bigger Picture: What Happens Next?

With so many companies vying for, the deadline is fast approaching, and a deal is expected to come through soon. However, any agreement must also be approved by ByteDance and the Chinese government. That means the negotiations are far from over. U.S. officials are hoping to strike a balance between national security concerns and keeping TikTok accessible to millions of American users.

In the coming days, we’ll see whether will continue to thrive as a social media powerhouse or face the uncertainty of a potential ban. Whatever the outcome, the future of is undeniably a high-stakes game. Stay tuned for what happens next!