The AppLovin offer for TikTok is provisional
White House heavily involved in TikTok deal talks
Amazon and OnlyFans founders also join the bidding race for TikTok
April 3 (Reuters) - Marketing platform AppLovin (APP.O), opens new tabgave notice on Thursday that it has made a bid for TikTok assets outside China, ahead of an April 5 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump to find a non-Chinese buyer for the short-video app used by 170 million Americans.
AppLovin said in a regulatory filing that its proposal for TikTok was preliminary and there was no guarantee that a transaction would materialize.
Bidders for the short-form video social media company are piling up as the deadline for TikTok to find a buyer approaches over the weekend. TikTok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
"The addition of TikTok could accelerate AppLovin's transition to a global advertising powerhouse, but regulatory and geopolitical complexities remain a critical variable for investors," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital.
Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new taband also a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are the latest to throw their hat in the ring for TikTok.
US authorities raised security concerns about the app's links to China, which TikTok and its owner ByteDance denied.
Trump said last month that his administration was in contact with four different groups about the sale of the platform, without naming them.
The White House has been involved to an unprecedented degree in the closely watched negotiations over the deal, effectively playing the role of an investment bank.
Trump also said he would consider a deal for TikTok in which China agrees to sell ByteDance's short video app in exchange for an exemption from US tariffs on Chinese imports.
Private equity firm Blackstone (BX.N), opens new tabReuters reported that the firm is currently discussing joining ByteDance's non-Chinese shareholders, led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, in contributing fresh capital to a bid for TikTok's US business.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/applovin-bids-tiktok-all-markets-outside-china-2025-04-03/