“Reddit Founder Makes a Bid for TikTok and Aims to Bring it onto the Blockchain”

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has set his sights on an ambitious acquisition: he wants to buy TikTok and bring the platform “on-chain” using Web 3 technology. As a strategic advisor to Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty – also known as “The People’s Bid” – Ohanian aims for a radical change in how ownership works in the digital world. But what exactly does this mean, and how realistic is his vision?

Ohanian’s Vision: Reinventing Ownership

On March 4, 2025, Ohanian announced on X: “I am officially one of the people trying to buy TikTok US and bring it on-chain.” His plan? Let users own their data and give creators direct control over their audience. He continued with:

“We are setting a new standard for digital communities. A TikTok for the people, by the people.”

This aligns with his long dream of a decentralized social media platform, something he experimented with at Reddit through blockchain features.

Ohanian’s involvement in Project Liberty, which aims to offer TikTok’s 170 million American users privacy and data control via the Frequency blockchain, lends weight to his words. Frequency, a Layer 1 protocol, promises transparency and interoperability – a stark contrast to TikTok’s current, centralized ByteDance model.

What would an on-chain TikTok look like?

Details are scarce, but experts speculate on the possibilities:

• Crypto micropayments: Creators can be paid directly via on-chain transactions, possibly with assets from Trump’s Crypto Strategic Reserve (such as XRP or ADA). This eliminates intermediaries and gives creators more financial freedom.
• NFT integration: Like Reddit’s digital collectibles (which attracted tens of thousands of users in 2022), TikTok videos or profiles could become NFTs – unique, tradable, and owned by the creator.
• Data ownership: Users gain control over their personal data via blockchain, a break from the current practice where ByteDance controls everything.

But which blockchain? Ohanian is silent on this. Reddit’s failed attempt with a centralized Layer 2 (Community Points on Arbitrum) suggests he may now opt for a robust Layer 1 like Ethereum (ETH) or Solana (SOL). However, Frequency, developed by Project Liberty, is the most likely candidate – a decentralized chain that prioritizes social interactions.

Challenges and Regulation

This is no simple task. Although the SEC recently dropped lawsuits against crypto exchanges – a sign of a milder climate under Trump – regulation remains a minefield. TikTok’s takeover must already comply with national security rules (the CFIUS deadline of January 2025 was extended by 75 days). Bringing it on-chain adds complexity: how do you balance Web 3 freedom with compliance? Ohanian’s experience with Reddit’s NFTs may help, but scalability and user convenience are crucial hurdles.

However, for creators, this idea could be revolutionary. Direct ownership over their audience means less dependence on algorithms or platform whims. Micropayments and NFTs could open new revenue streams – think of a dance video as a unique NFT that fans buy and trade. Ohanian’s “TikTok for the people” hints at a creator-centric model, something he had success with at Reddit.