TikTok Reinstated Amid Ongoing Sale Discussions

TikTok has been reinstated to the U.S. Apple and Google Play stores following a temporary removal due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership by ByteDance. President Trump delayed the enforcement of a ban, initially set to take effect on January 19, by signing an executive order extending the deadline by 75 days. This decision was influenced by the need to find a U.S. buyer for TikTok to mitigate fears of data access by the Chinese government. Although reinstated, TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain as discussions about its sale continue, with potential buyers including Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary. The reinstatement has impacted market dynamics, notably increasing trading activity in AI-related cryptocurrencies. TikTok thanked Trump for providing clarity and assurance against penalties for hosting the app, as the company continues to seek a long-term solution to remain operational in the U.S.