The battle for TikTok’s U.S. operations has taken an unexpected turn, with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian joining the fight not just to acquire the platform but to integrate blockchain technology into its foundation. This bold vision could mark one of the biggest shifts in social media ownership, user data control, and creator empowerment.
Ohanian’s involvement was first reported on March 3, when Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt confirmed that the Reddit co-founder would serve as a strategic adviser on the bid. The mission? To redefine digital ownership by leveraging decentralized technology to give users greater control over their data and online identities.
“I’m officially now one of the people trying to buy TikTok US — and bring it on-chain,” Ohanian announced on X.
At the core of this effort is Frequency, a decentralized social network protocol running on Polkadot’s infrastructure. The goal is to replace TikTok’s current data model with a user-owned, blockchain-based system, eliminating opaque algorithms and centralized control.
“Users should own their data. Creators should own their audience. Period,” Ohanian emphasized.
A New Vision for Social Media
Project Liberty, spearheaded by billionaire Frank McCourt, has been assembling a consortium to acquire TikTok’s U.S. division and overhaul its architecture. The group’s vision centers on giving users sovereignty over their personal data, a move that could radically transform the advertising and revenue models of social media.
This blockchain-powered future would challenge the ad-driven, data-harvesting model that dominates social platforms today, presenting a radical alternative to Big Tech’s control over social media.
Ohanian’s involvement in blockchain and crypto is not new. Under his leadership, Reddit has already experimented with Web3 integrations:
- 2022: Reddit invested excess reserves in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Polygon.
- Blockchain-Backed Avatars: The launch of Reddit Collectible Avatars (Polygon-based NFTs) allowed users to customize their profiles and access unique perks.
- Community Points Program: A blockchain-based user rewards system that operated on Ethereum before being shut down in 2023 due to scalability challenges.
While some of these initiatives struggled amid NFT and crypto market downturns, Ohanian’s commitment to Web3 social media has remained strong—and TikTok could be the platform that finally brings his blockchain ambitions to scale.
Why Blockchain TikTok Could Change the Game
If Project Liberty’s bid succeeds, a blockchain-powered TikTok could revolutionize the industry by:
- Empowering creators with direct ownership of their audience, without dependence on platform algorithms.
- Eliminating opaque data practices that exploit user information for advertising profits.
- Building a more transparent, decentralized revenue model, reducing corporate control over monetization.
- Creating an on-chain identity system where users can manage their own data across platforms.
What’s Next?
The fate of TikTok’s U.S. operations remains uncertain amid regulatory scrutiny and national security debates. However, if Project Liberty and Ohanian’s vision succeed, the acquisition could serve as a turning point for Web3-powered social media.
Will TikTok become the first decentralized, blockchain-driven social media giant? Or will regulatory roadblocks and industry resistance halt this ambitious plan? The next few months will determine whether Ohanian’s Web3 dream becomes reality or remains just that, a dream.
