Is TikTok Going Blockchain? Reddit’s Co-Founder Joins the Race to Buy It

Alexis Ohanian, an influential figure in tech investment, has emerged as one of the key backers of The People's Bid for TikTok, a movement seeking to wrest control of TikTok US from ByteDance and establish it as a decentralized platform.

Ohanian has been vocal about his belief that social media’s future must be in the hands of its users, ensuring content creators maintain absolute control over their communities.

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. Users should own their data. Creators should own their audience. Period,

Ohanian asserted.

Leading this ambitious investor group is Project Liberty, a nonprofit organization funded by billionaire entrepreneur Frank McCourt. The initiative is focused on developing DSNP (Decentralized Social Networking Protocol)—a blockchain-based alternative to conventional social media, much like Farcaster.

The goal? To put users back in control of their own data, eliminating corporate gatekeeping and preventing platforms from monetizing personal information for advertisers.

Check this out: What are decentralized social networks?

A Decentralized TikTok: The Social Media Evolution We Need?

The idea of TikTok embracing DSNP might sound radical, but it comes with powerful benefits:

📌 True data ownership—no more relying on platforms to respect your privacy.

📌 A unified digital identity, allowing you to move seamlessly between different apps.

📌 Stronger security, reducing the risks that centralized networks face.

And if TikTok pulls it off, will other platforms be forced to embrace decentralization too? This could be the beginning of a major shift in social media as we know it.

Read on: TikTok Ramps Up Control Over AI Content

Sure, a decentralized TikTok sounds exciting—but here’s what could go wrong:

• Content moderation becomes a mess, leading to a surge in misinformation and unregulated content; 
• Spam takes over, since there are no strict filtering algorithms to keep bots at bay; 
• Scalability suffers, as blockchains aren’t always built for mass adoption;
• Advertisers back off, because without centralized targeting, ad revenue takes a hit. 

TikTok’s Forced Sale: A Legal Battle or an Inevitable Reality?

Lawmakers moved to ban TikTok in the U.S., arguing that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, poses a national security risk.

With the Supreme Court upholding the ruling, ByteDance faces a clear ultimatum—sell or shut down.

However, President Donald Trump has hit pause on the ban for 90 days, setting the stage for a potential acquisition that could reshape the social media landscape.

The potential sale of TikTok US has attracted heavyweight buyers. While The People's Bid for TikTok is leading one effort, another group, backed by YouTuber MrBeast and private investors, has also entered the fray. Meanwhile, Microsoft has expressed interest in acquiring the platform independently.

Despite the growing list of bidders, TikTok’s leadership isn’t rushing to sell. Instead, sources indicate the company may be exploring a joint ownership model rather than a full sale.

A worthwhile read: Polymarket Faces Backlash After TikTok Market Decision

With TikTok US valued at up to $50 billion, the acquisition is set to be one of the most high-stakes tech deals in recent history.

While most buyers see an opportunity for business expansion, Frank McCourt’s consortium is playing a different game—one that revolves around decentralization and user data protection.

For investors, this isn’t just a buyout—it’s a potential revolution. Ohanian’s involvement underscores his long-standing vision for decentralized social media and digital sovereignty.

If this effort succeeds, TikTok could become the catalyst for a seismic shift, forcing other platforms to adopt more transparent, user-driven models.