TIKTOK BIDDING WAR HEATS UP AS DEADLINE LOOMS

🔥 The future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance as the April 5 deadline for a sale approaches. With mounting pressure from Washington over national security concerns, more players are stepping into the arena to take control of the viral short-video app from Chinese parent company ByteDance.

🏃‍♂️ New Bidders Emerge: Amazon & Tim Stokely

Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are the latest to express serious interest. Stokely, now at the helm of social startup Zoop, has teamed up with a cryptocurrency foundation to launch a late-stage bid, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Amazon confirmed it has submitted a letter of intent to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Though the retail giant declined public comment, the move sent its shares up by 2% on the day.

📱 Why It Matters

TikTok is used by nearly half of all Americans. The app’s fate is tied to a 2024 bipartisan law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by January 19—a deadline extended by 75 days by President Trump through executive order upon returning to office.

National security officials in Washington cite concerns over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, warning of potential data collection and influence operations targeting Americans.

💼 Who Else Is in the Running?

• Blackstone is in discussions to join an existing group of non-Chinese ByteDance investors (Susquehanna International Group, General Atlantic) for a joint bid.

• Andreessen Horowitz is exploring funding support for an Oracle-led offer to separate TikTok from Chinese ownership.

• White House Talks continue around spinning off a U.S.-based TikTok entity with less than 20% Chinese ownership—meeting legal thresholds for national security clearance.

🤔 Industry Buzz

Amazon has long eyed a stronger foothold in social media. The tech giant previously acquired Twitch and Goodreads and experimented with short-form content through its now-retired Inspire platform. Despite its ambitions, insiders say some players are skeptical of Amazon’s seriousness in this high-stakes race, as reported by The New York Times.

📆 What’s Next?

The clock is ticking. With just days left before the potential ban, all eyes are on ByteDance, the U.S. government, and a crowded field of contenders vying for control of one of the world’s most influential social platforms.