- OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely’s new startup Zoop is teaming up with a crypto group to bid for TikTok.
- The U.S. government has set an April 5 deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a national ban.
- Amazon also submitted a last-minute offer, while VP JD Vance is overseeing the high-stakes sale.
In a late-stage bid that’s turning heads, Tim Stokely, best known as the founder of adult-content giant OnlyFans, is now looking to buy TikTok. Yes, that TikTok. The wildly popular video app currently facing a forced exit from Chinese ownership.
But here’s the twist — this time, it’s not through OnlyFans. Stokely’s new venture, Zoop, has teamed up with the Hbar Foundation, which manages the Hedera crypto network, to submit a plan to the White House.
“It’s not just about taking over TikTok,” said RJ Phillips, Zoop’s co-founder. “We want to flip the model—let creators and their communities earn directly from the value they generate.”
Exactly what that looks like? Still unclear. Phillips didn’t share specifics about the backers or the offer itself. But the message is clear: they’re in it for more than just a corporate reshuffle.
Zoop Isn’t OnlyFans 2.0
Let’s be real—OnlyFans has a reputation, and not exactly a family-friendly one. But Zoop is different, according to the team. It’s mainstream, clean-cut, and actually gives back most of its revenue to creators who boost user engagement. Think of it as a more “brand-safe” reboot of the content economy.
And now? They want to plug that creator-first philosophy into TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users.
Amazon Wants In Too
As if the race wasn’t crowded enough, the New York Times reported that Amazon also jumped in with a last-minute offer on Wednesday. That puts even more pressure on the clock.
President Donald Trump is set to review proposals to determine TikTok’s fate, with a looming April 5 deadline to either sell the app or face a U.S. ban under a law passed earlier this year on national security grounds.
Lawmakers have long feared ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government, worrying the app could be weaponized for influence campaigns or surveillance.
First Amendment Fight?
Not everyone’s onboard with a ban. Some TikTok defenders say this could cross a constitutional line, possibly violating the First Amendment by restricting Americans’ access to global content.
Still, Trump has signaled some flexibility. After taking office in January, he pushed the deadline to April 5, saying he wanted more time to strike the right deal — and possibly extend the clock again if needed.
Who’s Really in Charge of the Sale?
This isn’t your typical government affair. Behind the scenes, it’s Vice President JD Vance running what insiders have called a “White House auction”—almost like Uncle Sam moonlighting as an investment banker.
And with so many players circling TikTok, including private equity, tech giants, crypto foundations, and now the guy who built OnlyFans? Yeah, this story’s far from over.
