Lately I’ve been refreshing news sites wondering: seriously, who is buying TikTok now? With shifting laws, executive orders, and high-stakes deals, the answer keeps evolving — and it’s more complicated than you might think.
Why TikTok’s Ownership Is in Flux
TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, has been under pressure to divest its U.S. operations because of national security and data privacy concerns. In 2024, Congress passed a law requiring apps backed by “foreign adversaries” to divest or face bans.
ByteDance challenged the law, but the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in January 2025. That meant TikTok had to spin off its U.S. business or risk disappearing from millions of American phones.
The New Front-Runners (2025 Edition)
Here’s who’s in the mix as of now:
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Oracle: Expected to take the lead role in managing TikTok’s U.S. algorithm and data security.
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Silver Lake: A major private equity firm with experience in big tech investments.
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MGX (Abu Dhabi-linked firm): Set to own about 15% of TikTok U.S., though its involvement has raised eyebrows.
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ByteDance: Still holding a minority stake (less than 20%) and licensing the algorithm to the new U.S. entity.
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MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): The YouTube superstar expressed interest earlier this year, even teasing the idea of buying TikTok himself. While he’s not a lead investor, he was reported to be part of discussions to join an investor group. His involvement, if it solidifies, could bring a creator’s perspective to the table.
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Other Big Names: Tech leaders like Michael Dell and media moguls such as Rupert Murdoch have also been tied to potential investments.
What the Deal Looks Like Now
The sale is being structured as a new joint venture for TikTok U.S.:
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Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX are expected to collectively hold around 45–50% ownership.
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ByteDance will keep less than 20% and one board seat without control.
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The TikTok algorithm—the magic behind the app’s success—will be licensed to the U.S. entity rather than sold outright.
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The deal values TikTok’s U.S. business at about $14 billion, much lower than earlier estimates of $35–40 billion.
Interesting Facts About the Sale
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ByteDance will continue to earn revenue through licensing and minority ownership.
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Congress has promised strict oversight hearings to make sure TikTok’s divestment is real.
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MGX’s role has stirred debate since it isn’t U.S.-based, despite the deal being promoted as “American.”
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MrBeast’s possible involvement highlights how creators now wield enough influence (and money) to enter major tech deals.
What Happens If TikTok Gets Sold?
The impact could be huge:
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More U.S. oversight on how user data is handled.
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Potential new features if Oracle brings its enterprise and AI expertise.
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Stronger shopping tools if Walmart or other retail partners get involved in future expansions.
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Creator influence if figures like MrBeast are given a say in shaping the platform.
Of course, some worry TikTok could lose its free-spirited, creative edge under new corporate ownership.
My Personal Take
As someone who loves TikTok for quick laughs and clever hacks, I can’t help but feel cautious. Big corporate changes usually bring stricter rules, and I’d hate to see the creativity watered down. That said, the idea of someone like MrBeast being involved excites me—because he understands creators better than most executives. If his role grows, it could help keep TikTok fun and authentic.
Wrapping It Up
So, who is buying TikTok? The latest reports suggest Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX are leading the deal, with ByteDance keeping a small slice and even MrBeast circling the table as a possible investor. The deal values TikTok U.S. at around $14 billion, a massive shift for one of the world’s most influential apps.
Would you feel more confident about TikTok if a creator like MrBeast had a seat at the table, or do you think only big tech companies should run it?