Who’S In The Race To Snag Tiktok? The Bidders And Big Players Revealed!

The TikTok Takeover: A High-Stakes Game

Hey there, trendsetters! If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you might’ve heard the buzz about its future in the U.S. President Donald Trump recently dropped some major news, announcing a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and China to keep the viral app alive on American soil. This deal, aimed at calming tensions in a long-running trade war, is a game-changer after months of uncertainty.

Under the agreement, TikTok’s American assets must be handed over from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to U.S. owners. With a deadline of December 16 looming, Trump teased that 'a group of very big companies' is eager to snap it up. And trust us, the list of suitors for this app - used by a whopping 170 million Americans - is as star-studded as a Hollywood red carpet.

So, who’s in the running to claim TikTok’s crown? Let’s break down the major players and surprise contenders making waves in this billion-dollar bidding war.

Current Shareholders: Holding the Fort

First up, let’s talk about the insiders. ByteDance is set to retain a 19.9% stake in TikTok - just shy of the 20% threshold - under a deal structure that echoes discussions from earlier this year. It’s a clever move to maintain some influence while stepping back from full control.

The remaining 80%? That’s slated to be held by a powerhouse consortium of ByteDance’s existing shareholders, including Susquehanna International Group (SIG), General Atlantic, and KKR. These financial heavyweights are ready to keep the TikTok party going, and they’ve got the clout to make it happen.

Reuters has been tracking these developments closely, and it’s clear this group isn’t messing around. They’re poised to play a big role in shaping TikTok’s next chapter in the U.S.

Tech Titans Join the Fray

Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake: The New Kids on the Block

Now, let’s chat about some fresh faces in the mix. Oracle, a cloud computing giant with a market value over $871 billion, is stepping up big time. Not only are they likely to grab a stake, but they’re also running TikTok’s U.S. operations by hosting user data on their servers - talk about a power move!

They’re joined by investment firm Andreessen Horowitz and Silver Lake, who are also eyeing a piece of the pie, according to Reuters and the Wall Street Journal. This trio could bring some serious tech savvy to TikTok’s table.

'We’re thrilled to be part of a deal that keeps TikTok thriving in the U.S. while prioritizing user security,' a source close to Oracle reportedly shared.

Amazon: The Last-Minute Contender

Hold onto your Prime subscriptions, because Amazon - with a staggering $2.5 trillion market valuation - has thrown its hat into the ring! The tech behemoth made a last-minute offer for TikTok’s non-China assets, and they’re not playing coy about it.

A U.S. administration official confirmed that Amazon even sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to stake their claim. If anyone can handle a platform with TikTok’s reach, it’s the company that basically invented online shopping, right?

Unexpected Bidders: Wild Cards in the Mix

OnlyFans Founder and Crypto Connection

Now for a plot twist! Tim Stokely, the brains behind OnlyFans, has teamed up with a cryptocurrency foundation to make a late-stage bid for TikTok. His new venture, Zoop, alongside the Hbar Foundation (which manages the Hedera cryptocurrency network), sent their intent to the White House just this week.

This unexpected duo is bringing a fresh, edgy vibe to the table. Could a blend of adult content expertise and blockchain innovation be TikTok’s next big thing? We’re intrigued!

AppLovin: Marketing Meets Mergers

Marketing platform AppLovin, valued at $204 billion, is also in the race with a bold proposal. Their plan? To merge with TikTok’s global operations outside China, enhancing the current deal discussions involving Oracle and other investors.

CEO Adam Foroughi isn’t holding back, stating their offer is a 'bigger deal' and that they’re open to strategic partnerships - though they don’t need extra funding. Confidence much? We’re watching this one closely.

Rising Stars and Big Dreamers

Perplexity AI: The Search for Innovation

AI-powered search engine Perplexity AI is making moves too, proposing to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Their revised plan, submitted in January, involves creating a new entity with ByteDance and even offers the U.S. government up to a 50% stake upon a future IPO. Now that’s a forward-thinking pitch!

This startup is all about innovation, and blending AI with TikTok’s viral platform could be a match made in tech heaven. Will they seal the deal? Only time will tell.

Reddit Co-Founder and Frank McCourt: The People’s Bid

Entrepreneur Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, isn’t sitting this one out. Teaming up with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as a strategic adviser, McCourt’s 'Project Liberty' bid aims to buy TikTok’s U.S. assets with a unique twist - letting users control their data.

Announced in March, this bid is dubbed 'The People’s Bid' for its user-focused approach. With Ohanian’s social media expertise, they’re positioning themselves as the champions of privacy and empowerment. Pretty noble, don’t you think?

Heavy Hitters and YouTube Sensations

Jesse Tinsley and MrBeast: A $30 Billion Power Play

Tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley, founder of Employer.com, is leading a group of investors with a jaw-dropping $30 billion all-cash offer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. And guess who’s on his team? None other than YouTube superstar MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson!

This dynamic duo is bringing serious star power and cash to the table. If TikTok wants a bidder with viral clout, MrBeast’s involvement might just be the secret sauce they need.

The OG Bidder: Microsoft’s Comeback

Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about Microsoft. With a market value of $3.78 trillion, the Windows giant is back in the conversation, as Trump revealed in January that they’re in talks to acquire TikTok. He even hinted at wanting a bidding war - and who wouldn’t with these stakes?

Microsoft was a top contender back in 2020 during Trump’s first term, when he pushed for TikTok to separate from ByteDance over national security concerns. Though those talks fizzled out, they’re clearly not done yet. Could this tech titan finally claim the prize?

What’s Next for TikTok?

As the December 16 deadline approaches, the TikTok saga is far from over. With tech giants, innovative startups, and even social media icons in the mix, this bidding war is shaping up to be one of the most exciting business stories of the year.

Who will ultimately win TikTok’s heart - or at least its U.S. operations? Stick with us as we keep tabs on every twist and turn in this digital drama. Drop your guesses in the comments - we’re dying to know who you’re rooting for!