Triller says made $20 billion bid with Centricus for TikTok assets | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Triller says made $20 billion bid with Centricus for TikTok assets

Tech

Reuters
29 August, 2020, 09:30 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2020, 09:37 am

Related News

  • Touhid expresses concern over widespread rumour campaigns during meeting with USCIRF chair
  • Trump dumps Netanyahu
  • Bangladeshis in US may suffer as 5% tax proposed on sending remittances by non-citizens
  • Israeli strikes kill 146 Palestinians in Gaza in 24 hours, local health authorities say
  • Trump announces $14.5 billion Etihad commitment with Boeing, GE

Triller says made $20 billion bid with Centricus for TikTok assets

Microsoft Corp and Oracle Corp are among the US companies vying to acquire the assets of TikTok, which claims about 100 million monthly active users in the United States. The Chinese firm is expected to pick a bidder to enter into exclusive talks soon

Reuters
29 August, 2020, 09:30 am
Last modified: 29 August, 2020, 09:37 am
File Photo: TikTok logos are seen on smartphones in front of a displayed ByteDance logo in this illustration taken November 27, 2019. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
File Photo: TikTok logos are seen on smartphones in front of a displayed ByteDance logo in this illustration taken November 27, 2019. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Triller Inc executive chairman Bobby Sarnevesht said on Friday that the short-video app had made a $20 billion offer with investment firm Centricus Asset Management Ltd for the assets of rival TikTok that China's ByteDance is seeking to a divest.

ByteDance and TikTok denied knowledge of the offer, raising questions over whether the proposed deal between two of the most popular social media apps in the United States represented a serious bid or was a publicity stunt.

ByteDance has been ordered by President Donald Trump to divest TikTok in the United States, amid security concerns over the personal data it handles.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

TikTok says it has not received a bid from Centricus and Triller

Microsoft Corp and Oracle Corp are among the US companies vying to acquire the assets of TikTok, which claims about 100 million monthly active users in the United States. The Chinese firm is expected to pick a bidder to enter into exclusive talks soon.

"We submitted an offer directly to the chairman of ByteDance through Centricus, and have confirmation it was received and is under consideration by him," Sarnevesht told Reuters.

Bloomberg News reported on the bid earlier on Friday.

A TikTok spokesman said Centricus and Triller had not contacted the company about an offer.

Sarnevesht said this was because TikTok was not involved in the talks, adding that Triller and Centricus were dealing directly with ByteDance chairman Zhang Yiming.

ByteDance, however, said it was also unaware of the offer from Triller and Centricus.

"The company has not had any conversations with them and we are unaware of any interest," ByteDance said in a statement.

The proposed $20 billion bid will be financed by Centricus, with Triller executives running TikTok should their bid prevail, according to a person familiar with the financial details, who sought anonymity.

It was not immediately clear, however, if Centricus, with $27 billion in assets according to its website, could muster the resources for such a bid.

The London-based firm did not respond to a request for comment.

"We understand our offer is upsetting to some TikTok US executives, as it upsets a deal that may be more favorable to them and less favorable to the shareholders," Sarnevesht said in his statement.

"They are doing everything they can to discredit our offer and keep it from being seen as real."

Triller boasts 65 million monthly active users, versus TikTok's 100 million in the United States. Triller sought a $1.25 billion valuation in a private fundraising round this month.

While TikTok is best known for its anodyne videos of people dancing and having going viral among teenagers, US officials have expressed concern that user information could be passed to China's communist government.

Trump, a prolific user of social media, joined Triller this month.

"We've gotten assurances from people close to the White House that this is something that the administration would favor," Sarnevesht said.

"All we need TikTok to do is to give us their user data and the content, and the Triller platform can handle it."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Top News / World+Biz

TikTok / Triller / US / TikTok ban

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
    Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
  • File photo of jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam
    ATM Azharul Islam set free after acquittal in war crimes case
  • Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts
    Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • Touhid expresses concern over widespread rumour campaigns during meeting with USCIRF chair
  • Trump dumps Netanyahu
  • Bangladeshis in US may suffer as 5% tax proposed on sending remittances by non-citizens
  • Israeli strikes kill 146 Palestinians in Gaza in 24 hours, local health authorities say
  • Trump announces $14.5 billion Etihad commitment with Boeing, GE

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

10h | Others
Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

10h | TBS Today
Livestock passion made successful farmer

Livestock passion made successful farmer

1h | TBS Stories
TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

11h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net