OnlyFans founder submits late-stage bid to buy TikTok, partnering with crypto foundation

Tim Stokely's startup Zoop, in partnership with the Hbar Foundation, has submitted a plan to acquire TikTok from its Chinese owner ByteDance. The bid, aimed at benefiting creators and communities directly, was sent to the White House amidst a looming April 5 deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a US ban on national security grounds. While Zoop presents a mainstream, family-friendly platform, the details of the bid and investor backing remain undisclosed. Additionally, Amazon has entered the fray with a last-minute offer, intensifying the competition to control TikTok's US operations.
The potential sale of TikTok is a significant geopolitical issue, as the US government is concerned about the app's Chinese ownership and possible influence operations by Beijing. The US law mandating the sale, supported by President Trump, reflects bipartisan concerns over national security. TikTok users and advocates argue that a ban could violate First Amendment rights. The White House, acting like an investment bank, is coordinating the sale process, with Vice President JD Vance overseeing the auction, while ByteDance explores options to satisfy US requirements, including increasing stakes by non-Chinese investors.
RATING
The news story provides a well-rounded and generally accurate account of the potential sale of TikTok, involving major players like Tim Stokely, Zoop, the Hbar Foundation, and Amazon. It effectively captures the timeliness and public interest of the topic, given the legal and geopolitical implications. The article benefits from credible sources and clear presentation, though it could improve by offering more detailed information on the specifics of the bids and including a wider range of perspectives. Overall, the story is informative and engaging, with the potential to influence public discourse on digital privacy and international business relations.
RATING DETAILS
The news story presents several factual claims that are largely supported by external sources. For instance, the claim that Tim Stokely and the Hbar Foundation have submitted a late-stage bid for TikTok is corroborated by multiple reports, including those from Reuters and Investing.com. Additionally, the involvement of Amazon in the bidding process is confirmed by reputable sources like the New York Times. However, some details, such as the specifics of the bid and the investors involved, remain undisclosed and require further verification. The story accurately reflects the legal context and the deadline faced by ByteDance, aligning with reports from various news outlets. Overall, the article maintains a high level of accuracy, though it could benefit from more detailed information on certain aspects.
The article provides a balanced view of the situation by presenting multiple perspectives, including those of Zoop, the Hbar Foundation, and Amazon. It also touches on the legal and political context surrounding TikTok's potential sale, offering insights into the concerns about national security and First Amendment rights. However, the article could improve its balance by including more viewpoints from ByteDance, TikTok users, or legal experts to provide a fuller picture of the implications of the sale. The current presentation slightly leans towards the business and strategic aspects without delving deeply into the potential impact on users or broader societal implications.
The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the main points and understand the situation. It effectively outlines the key facts and provides background information on the legal and political context, aiding comprehension. However, some technical details, such as the specifics of cryptocurrency involvement or the legal intricacies, could be explained more thoroughly for readers unfamiliar with these topics. The tone remains neutral and informative throughout, contributing to the article's clarity and accessibility.
The article relies on credible sources such as Reuters and the New York Times, which are well-regarded for their journalistic standards. These sources provide a strong foundation for the claims made in the story, enhancing its reliability. However, the article does not specify all the sources for certain claims, such as the specifics of Zoop's business model, which could have been strengthened by direct quotes or data from Zoop itself. Overall, the quality of the sources used is high, but there is room for improvement in attributing information directly to the primary stakeholders involved.
The article offers a reasonable level of transparency by outlining the key players involved in the bidding process and the legal context of TikTok's potential sale. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather information, such as how the bids were verified or the criteria for evaluating them. Additionally, there is no clear disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. Improving transparency in these areas would enhance the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims made and the potential biases present.
Sources
- https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3304964/amazon-makes-last-minute-bid-buy-tiktok-deadline-looms-us-report-says
- https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/zoop-and-hbar-foundation-submit-latestage-bid-for-tiktok-acquisition-93CH-3963481
- https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L3N3QG18B:0-applovin-rises-after-report-says-it-is-a-bidder-for-tiktok/
- https://breakingthenews.net/Article/AppLovin-allegedly-another-TikTok-bidder/63847328
- https://coingape.com/hederas-hbar-foundation-takes-on-amazon-with-tiktok-bid/
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