Tencent (TCEHY +1.77%) is one of the world's leading internet and technology companies. The Chinese company operates some of the most widely used communications tools in the world and publishes some of the most popular video games. Tencent also has cloud computing, advertising, and financial technology businesses, among others. On top of all that, it has a large investment portfolio.
OTC: TCEHY
Key Data Points
More than 1 billion people use Tencent's social media apps each month. They empower users to communicate, share videos, make payments, and shop. However, social media is only part of Tencent's global technology empire.
Here's a closer look at Tencent's massive technology and investment operations. We'll also explore what companies it might seek to acquire in the future. Knowing what Tencent owns and where it might invest next is an important aspect of research when learning how to invest money in a company.
Epic Games
Tencent made a strategic investment in Epic Games (the developer of Fortnite) in 2012. It holds an estimated 40% stake in the gaming company, which also counts Sony (SONY +0.66%), Disney (DIS -0.14%), and Lego Company owner Kirkbi A/S among its minority shareholders.
Tencent's investment helped Epic fund its growth. In addition to producing popular games, Epic developed the Unreal Engine, a leading game engine technology used by many gaming studios worldwide, including Tencent.
Sea Limited
Tencent is the largest shareholder of Singapore-based consumer internet company Sea Limited (SE +1.03%). As of mid-2025, it owned less than 20% of the e-commerce company's outstanding shares (and less than 10% of its voting power). While Tencent trimmed its stake in Sea in 2022 (it sold about 2.5% of its shares worth $3 billion), it plans to retain most of its remaining shares to participate in Sea's long-term success and continue their existing business relationship.
E-commerce
WeBank
In 2014, Tencent and several other companies founded WeBank, China's first digital bank. The company has a 30% stake in the private bank. Tencent works closely with WeBank to offer loans to consumers on its platforms. WeBank is one of the world's largest digital banks, with more than 400 million individual clients as of mid-2025.
Nu Holdings
Tencent initially invested $180 million in Brazilian financial technology company Nu Holdings (NU +3.61%) in 2018. By mid-2025, it owned nearly 150 million shares worth about $2 billion, making it the bank's fifth-largest shareholder, at 4% of its outstanding shares. Nu Holdings has grown into one of the world's largest digital banks, with more than 118 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
Nio
Tencent was one of the original investors in Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (NIO +3.21%) in 2016. In 2022, the two companies agreed to work together on several areas, including autonomous driving and high-definition mapping. While Tencent has trimmed its stake in Nio over the years, it still ranked as its second-largest shareholder in mid-2025, with a 2.5% stake worth more than $260 million.
Snap
Tencent bought a 12% stake in social media platform Snap (SNAP -1.21%) in 2017 following a steep decline in its share price. In mid-2025, the company was Snap's largest shareholder, owning over 16% of the company, worth more than $2.5 billion. Tencent's investment in Snap is one of many passive investments it has made over the years in U.S. companies as part of its overall investment strategy.
What companies could Tencent buy in the future?
Tencent is an active acquirer, buying companies to enhance its existing businesses. It also has a large investment portfolio. Although it predominantly invests in Asian technology companies, Tencent will also invest in the global fintech, electric vehicle, and social media sectors. So, it could buy a range of companies in the future.
The bottom line on companies Tencent owns
Tencent is one of China's largest technology companies. Its popular Weixen/WeChat super app has turned it into a social media and payments powerhouse. It's also a leading gaming developer.
The company has reinvested the profits from those businesses into many other companies, turning it into a diversified conglomerate and holding company. Tencent will likely continue to acquire and invest in more companies, most likely in the gaming, AI, and healthcare sectors. Its broad focus makes Tencent a potentially compelling stock to buy and hold for those seeking to invest in faster-growing industries with a geographical focus on Asia.
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