Tencent Reportedly in Talks to Acquire Controlling Stake in Manus

Rumors emerged today indicating that TENCENT is currently in negotiations to become the largest shareholder of AI company Manus.

When approached for comment on the matter, TENCENT had not issued a response by the time of publication.

Information shows that TENCENT, Sequoia Capital China, and ZhenFund were early core investors in Manus. Other overseas venture capital firms, including Benchmark, also participated in the initial funding rounds.

On December 30, 2025, Meta Platforms, Inc. officially announced its acquisition of Manus's parent company, Butterfly Effect, in a transaction valued at over $2 billion. Reports suggest this price ranks as the third-largest acquisition in Meta Platforms, Inc.'s history, following the $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp in 2014 and the $1 billion acquisition of Instagram in 2012.

On April 27, 2026, China's National Development and Reform Commission's office for foreign investment security review mechanisms issued an announcement. The office made a decision to prohibit the foreign investment acquisition of the AI company Manus in accordance with laws and regulations, ordering the involved parties to immediately rescind the transaction. It is reported that Meta Platforms, Inc. and Manus have since initiated an internal business separation, with both parties resuming independent operations.