Sat Jan 18 03:20:46 UTC 2025: ## TikTok Faces US Ban, But Potential Buyers Emerge
**NEW YORK –** The popular video-sharing app TikTok faces a potential ban on January 19th due to a federal law demanding its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest itself from the US operations or shut down. While ByteDance has repeatedly rejected a sale, several high-profile figures and groups are reportedly vying to acquire the platform.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimates TikTok’s value at over $100 billion, potentially reaching $200 billion with its algorithm intact. However, Ives doubts ByteDance and the Chinese government would allow a sale including the algorithm, which US officials fear could be manipulated by the Chinese government. Without the algorithm, the value drops significantly, to an estimated $40-$50 billion.
Among the potential buyers are a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, who claim to have secured over $20 billion in investor commitments. McCourt plans to restructure the platform to prioritize user data transparency. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has also reportedly formed an investor group to pursue a purchase. Other names floated as possible buyers, though with uncertain levels of seriousness, include Elon Musk, MrBeast, and former Blizzard-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.
President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office on January 20th, had previously requested a delay to the ban to seek a “political resolution.” However, the Trump transition team has offered limited details on their plan. The incoming administration’s approach remains unclear, with the enforcement of the ban falling to the incoming Attorney General.
The legal and technological complexities surrounding a sale, particularly the issue of separating TikTok’s algorithm from its Chinese parent company, pose significant challenges to any potential buyer. The coming days will determine whether TikTok will remain operational in the United States.
First Piper 