Tech Shakeup: Intel Restructures as Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes TikTok Acquisition

Feb 18, 2025

Beta Scholars - Imagine Intel shedding key divisions while Trump's new wealth fund eyes a 50% stake in TikTok—possibilities that could radically reshape tech’s future.

In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, there are several high-stakes possibilities on the horizon. On one side, reports suggest that Intel is exploring the option to reorganize its business by separating non-core units—including its foundry division, its Altera (soon to be rebranded as an independent FPGA company), and its venture arm, Intel Capital—to refocus on its core chip design and x86 architecture. On the other, President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda includes discussions about creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund (SWF) that might eventually acquire a stake in TikTok. It is important to note that many of these moves are still possibilities, not yet concrete actions.

Intel’s Potential Strategic Restructuring

Facing stiff competition and margin pressures, Intel is reportedly weighing a bold turnaround strategy. Sources indicate that the company could spin off its foundry business into an independent subsidiary—a move designed to increase transparency and attract external investment. Similarly, Intel might offload its stake in Altera, preparing it for an independent existence and a potential IPO, and there is speculation that Intel Capital could be separated as a standalone investment fund.

However, while these possibilities are being actively discussed and have even moved into preliminary planning stages in some reports, they remain proposals at this point. The market awaits further announcements before these changes become fact.

Trump’s Ambitious Tech Policy: A Proposed U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund

In parallel, on the political front, President Trump has signaled a potentially transformative approach to U.S. technology policy. Early in his second term, his administration floated the idea of creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund—an investment vehicle that could one day channel national resources into critical tech assets. One of the most widely discussed possibilities is that this fund might be used to acquire a 50% stake in TikTok, thereby ensuring U.S. control over the platform amid ongoing national security concerns.

Yet, as with Intel’s restructuring, these proposals are still in the realm of possibilities. The establishment of the SWF and its potential involvement with TikTok have not yet been finalized, and various legal, political, and market factors will ultimately determine whether these ideas materialize.

What It Could Mean for the Tech Landscape

Both the potential restructuring of Intel and the proposal for a U.S. sovereign wealth fund represent significant shifts that could reshape the tech industry. If Intel moves forward with divesting certain units, it might streamline operations, cut costs, and better compete against rivals like TSMC and NVIDIA. Likewise, if the sovereign wealth fund is established and used to acquire part of TikTok, it could alter the dynamics of U.S.-China tech competition and set a new precedent for government involvement in strategic tech assets.

Nonetheless, these scenarios are not set in stone. Investors, industry observers, and policymakers alike should view these developments as potential options under active consideration rather than established facts.

Looking Ahead

As discussions continue and proposals evolve, both Intel’s potential restructuring and Trump’s proposed SWF offer a glimpse into how corporate strategy and government policy might intersect in a geopolitically charged tech environment. Whether these possibilities will fully materialize remains to be seen, but they underscore the growing interplay between market strategy and national security in shaping the future of global technology.

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