Potential Acquisition of TikTok

Recently, Alexis Ohanian hinted at the possibility of purchasing TikTok’s US division, demonstrating a keen interest in revitalizing the platform through innovative technology. Despite the ongoing restrictions, US users can still access TikTok, following a brief service interruption on January 18, which has since been resolved with the app returning to various app stores for content creators.

Blockchain Integration on TikTok

Ohanian’s vision includes integrating blockchain features within TikTok, part of a broader initiative known as the People’s Bid for TikTok. This consortium, which gains traction with the support of notable investors like Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, aims to enable crowd funding and the opportunity for small investors to obtain shares in the prospective company. Although Ohanian hasn’t elaborated on the specifics of the blockchain component, the concept of tokenizing small shares could present an exciting new avenue for engagement among users and investors.

Exciting news for the digital world…

I’m officially now one of the people trying to buy TikTok US — and bring it on-chain.

TikTok has been a game-changer for creators, and it’s future should be built by them↓ pic.twitter.com/SPq1Ppv1kK

— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) March 4, 2025

The acquisition process remains speculative at this point, as numerous potential buyers have emerged in the landscape, including tech giants Microsoft, Walmart, and Oracle, alongside individual investors like David Baszucki, co-founder of Roblox, and influencer Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast).

Revitalizing the Concept of SocialFi

Ohanian’s advances into on-chain social media could potentially rekindle interest in the SocialFi sector. Initially designed to foster community-driven benefits, SocialFi faced criticisms for favoring early adopters over smaller contributors. The fundamental idea was that content curation within these platforms would distribute earnings from viral videos back to the creators. Unfortunately, the reality witnessed a surge of automated systems, which diluted genuine engagement and sidelined emerging creators.

In an on-chain framework, advantages can also extend to providing verifiable timestamps, signifying ownership of digital content. This integration opens doors for establishing permanent records of material on the blockchain, while facilitating connections between users via wallets and Web3 identities. Furthermore, this could lead to a mechanism where revenue generated by shared content is allocated to the original creator, thereby fostering a healthier ecosystem for creators and their audiences.

FAQ

What is Alexis Ohanian’s role in the acquisition of TikTok?

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, has indicated his involvement in exploring the possibility of purchasing TikTok US and potentially integrating it with blockchain technology.

What are the benefits of integrating TikTok with blockchain?

Integrating TikTok with blockchain could enable features such as tokenization of shares and verifiable ownership records, allowing creators more control over their content and the potential for direct revenue generation.

Who are the other potential buyers for TikTok?

Other interested buyers include tech companies like Microsoft and Oracle, as well as individual investors such as David Baszucki from Roblox and content creator Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast).