Man With a Plan: Reddit Co-Founder Eyes TikTok Acquisition with Web3 Integration

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has officially entered the race to acquire TikTok, joining a growing list of potential buyers.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Ohanian expressed his vision of bringing TikTok on-chain, aiming to integrate Web3 technology into the platform to redefine digital ownership.

His proposal centers on incorporating the Frequency blockchain, a decentralised social media protocol designed to give users control over their data and empower creators to own their audience.

Ohanian’s TikTok bid aligns with Project Liberty, an initiative led by American business mogul Frank McCourt, who has positioned it as "The People's Bid" due to its focus on user data sovereignty through blockchain.

Ohanian will serve as a strategic adviser for the project, alongside Shark Tank investor and crypto advocate Kevin O’Leary.

However, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has yet to confirm plans for a sale, and McCourt acknowledged the lack of a clear valuation or asset breakdown.

Adapting TikTok’s massive infrastructure to blockchain technology also presents significant technical hurdles.

Ohanian’s group faces stiff competition from major corporations, including Microsoft and Oracle, further intensifying the battle for control over one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.

Frequency, the Blockchain TikTok

If the acquisition moves forward, TikTok would integrate Frequency, a blockchain designed to support high-volume social interactions while ensuring interoperability across decentralised applications.

Developed by Project Liberty, Frequency aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and user data ownership, allowing creators to maintain direct control over their audience relationships and enabling businesses to foster deeper customer engagement.

By serving as TikTok’s underlying infrastructure, Frequency could embed privacy, security, and digital independence as foundational principles rather than optional add-ons.

Its latest collaboration with Bluesky marks a significant step toward building a fully decentralised, user-driven social media ecosystem at scale.

What Changes with an On-Chain TikTok?

While Ohanian’s announcement signals a shift in digital ownership, it lacks key details about TikTok’s future.

Analysts speculate the platform could introduce on-chain monetisation through cryptocurrency micropayments, possibly leveraging one of the assets designated for the Crypto Strategic Reserve.

Another potential innovation is the integration of NFTs, similar to Reddit’s digital collectibles experiment.

The blockchain infrastructure for this transformation remains uncertain.

While some suggest centralised Layer 2 solutions, Reddit’s failed attempt may push Ohanian toward Layer 1 alternatives.

Regardless of the approach, regulatory hurdles loom large.

Despite the SEC easing its stance on crypto lawsuits, Ohanian and Project Liberty must navigate compliance challenges carefully.

When asked on X about TikTok’s potential rebranding under his leadership, Ohanian responded with “TikTok: Freedom Edition.”

But will this initiative truly redefine digital ownership, or is it just another tech buzzword in an already saturated market?