Microsoft may have a surprising bid partner in its pursuit of TikTok

Microsoft Logo at Ignite
Microsoft Logo at Ignite (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Walmart confirmed that it is teaming up with Microsoft in a bid to purchase TikTok.
  • TikTok could be sold in or around the next 48 hours, according to previous reports.
  • The sale of TikTok could be in the range of $20 billion to $30 billion.

According to sources that spoke with CNBC, Tiktok is close to an agreement to sell its operations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The deal is likely to be worth $20 billion to $30 billion, according to CNBC's sources.

According to previous reports, TikTok could be sold in or around the next 48 hours.

Microsoft is in competition with Oracle to purchase TikTok, but the potential addition of Walmart to a bid could affect how things move forward.

Walmart said in a statement:

We believe a potential relationship with TikTok US in partnership with Microsoft could add this key functionality and provide Walmart with an important way for us to reach and serve omnichannel customers as well as grow our third-party marketplace and advertising businesses ... We are confident that a Walmart and Microsoft partnership would meet both the expectations of US TikTok users while satisfying the concerns of US government regulators.

It's unclear at this time how Walmart would utilize TikTok if it was successful in purchasing the company. Walmart did tell CNBC that TikTok's integration of e-commerce and advertising "is a clear benefit to creators and users in those markets."

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.