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TikTok Deal: ByteDance Sells Majority Stake in US Operation to Non-Chinese Investors to Avoid Ban
The deal lets the wildly popular social media app continue to operate in the U.S., ending the threat of a looming ban.
Josh Marcus in San Francisco Friday 23 January 2026 00:44 GMT
The app was facing a potential ban in the U.S. if it couldn’t find new ownership (AP)
The parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, has reportedly finalised a landmark deal to sell off a majority stake in its U.S. operations to a consortium of non-Chinese investors. This strategic move allows the company to continue its American operations and effectively ends the immediate threat of a looming ban that had been hanging over the platform.
Investor Consortium Takes Control
Under the terms of the newly agreed arrangement, tech giant Oracle, Emirati investment firm MGX, and U.S. investment firm Silver Lake will collectively own a significant portion of the video app’s U.S. operations, as reported by The New York Times. This diverse group of investors represents a major shift in the ownership structure, aimed at addressing national security concerns that had prompted legislative action.
Official Approvals Secured
Critical to the deal's viability, both U.S. and Chinese officials have formally signed off on the agreement. A White House official confirmed this development to NBC News, indicating high-level governmental backing that paves the way for TikTok's continued presence in the American market. This bilateral approval underscores the diplomatic efforts undertaken to resolve the contentious issue.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available. The resolution marks a pivotal moment for TikTok, securing its future in one of its largest markets while navigating complex geopolitical tensions.
