MENLO PARK, CA — In a move that signals the dawn of a new era in the global artificial intelligence arms race, Meta Platforms (META) announced late Monday its acquisition of Manus, a high-profile startup specializing in autonomous “general-purpose” AI agents. While the financial terms of the deal were not officially disclosed in the company’s blog post, sources familiar with the transaction report a valuation exceeding $2 billion.
The acquisition represents a pivotal moment for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s long-term vision. As the company transitions from building Large Language Models (LLMs) that simply “chat” to developing “agentic” systems that can independently execute complex workflows, Manus provides the foundational technology to turn Meta’s vast ecosystem into a hub for automated digital labor.
The “General AI Agent”: Why Manus?
Manus first captured the tech world’s attention in early 2025 when it launched its autonomous agent, often described as a “virtual colleague.” Unlike traditional chatbots that require constant human prompting to generate text or images, Manus is designed to handle multi-step, end-to-end tasks with minimal intervention.
According to Meta’s announcement, Manus has already achieved staggering scale in its short existence:
- Token Processing: Over 147 trillion tokens served.
- Infrastructure: Deployment of more than 80 million “virtual computers” to execute tasks.
- Performance: Capability to independently manage market research, complex coding projects, and financial data analysis.
“Manus is already serving the daily needs of millions of users and businesses worldwide,” Meta stated in its official blog post. “We plan to scale this service to many more businesses, integrating these capabilities across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Meta AI.”
Market Reaction: Stock Slips Amid Capex Fears
Despite the technological milestone, Wall Street reacted with characteristic caution. Meta stock dipped 0.8% to $657.83 in premarket trading on Tuesday. The slight retreat reflects a growing tension between Meta’s aggressive innovation and the massive capital expenditures (capex) required to fuel it.
Investors are still digesting Meta’s hike in its 2026 capex forecast, which was revealed during the Q3 earnings cycle in late October. With projected spending for 2025 already hitting $71 billion—nearly double the 2024 total—the $2 billion price tag for Manus adds to a growing mountain of investment that some analysts fear may take years to monetize.
“The market is moving from rewarding ‘AI potential’ to demanding ‘AI execution,'” noted one senior analyst at IBD. “While Manus is a world-class asset, investors are wary of the ‘spending bridge’ Meta is building toward 2026.”
A Rare Tech Crossover: From China to Singapore to Silicon Valley
The deal is also notable for its geopolitical undertones. Manus was founded in 2022 by Xiao Hong (known in tech circles as “Red”) in China. Earlier this year, the startup relocated its headquarters to Singapore, a common move for high-growth Asian tech firms seeking to navigate the intensifying tech rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
The acquisition marks a rare instance of a major U.S. “Magnificent Seven” firm acquiring a Chinese-founded AI powerhouse. Manus’s rise has often been compared to that of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI model that shook U.S. markets in early 2025 by demonstrating that world-class AI could be developed at a fraction of the cost of American models.
Alexandr Wang, the CEO of Scale AI who was recently named Meta’s Chief AI Officer following Meta’s $14.3 billion investment in his company, lauded the move on X (formerly Twitter).
“The Manus team in Singapore are world class at exploring the capability overhang of today’s models to scaffold powerful agents,” Wang wrote. “Superintelligence is coming, and we are organizing the talent to reach it.”
Strategic Integration: The “WhatsApp” Factor
Analysts at Rosenblatt Securities see a particularly “natural fit” between Manus and Meta’s burgeoning WhatsApp small business footprint. By integrating Manus’s autonomous capabilities, Meta could allow millions of small businesses to automate customer service, inventory management, and even sales outreach through an agent that “acts” rather than just “talks.”
Rosenblatt reiterated a Buy rating on META with a price target of $1,117, suggesting the Manus deal could eventually rank alongside Meta’s historic acquisitions of Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014) in terms of long-term value creation.
The Road to 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, the acquisition of Manus serves as a definitive statement of intent. While Meta currently holds a Composite Rating of 91, indicating it remains a top growth stock, its performance has lagged the S&P 500 this year. Zuckerberg’s bet is that by owning the “agents” that will power the next generation of the internet, Meta can leapfrog competitors like OpenAI and Google.
For now, Manus CEO Xiao Hong will report to Meta COO Javier Olivan. The startup will maintain its Singapore headquarters and continue to serve its existing subscription-based customers, even as its engineering team begins the massive task of embedding “agentic AI” into the lives of billions of Meta users.
“We were told it was too early, too ambitious, too hard,” Xiao Hong said in a social media post following the announcement. “The era of AI that doesn’t just talk, but acts, creates, and delivers, is only beginning.”
Key Data Points at a Glance: | Metric | Detail | | :— | :— | | Acquisition Value | Est. $2B+ | | Founder | Xiao Hong (“Red”) | | Headquarters | Singapore (founded in China) | | Key Capability | Autonomous general-purpose agents | | Meta 2025 Capex | $71 Billion (Projected) | | Meta Stock Price (12/30/25) | $657.83 (Premarket) |
🥩 Ground Beef Recall 2025: FAQs & Important Links
Ground Beef Recalled 2025. A high-priority health alert has been issued by the USDA regarding approximately 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef potentially contaminated with E. coli O26.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which brand is affected? The recall is specific to Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef.
- What should I look for on the label?
- Packaging: 16-oz. (1-lb.) vacuum-sealed plastic packages.
- Date Codes: “USE OR FREEZE BY 01/07/26” or “01/13/26”.
- Establishment Number: Look for “EST. 2083” inside the USDA mark of inspection or on the side of the pack.
- Which states are involved? The product was shipped to retail locations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
- What are the symptoms of E. coli O26? Symptoms typically occur 3–4 days after exposure and include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. While most recover within a week, some may develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.
- How do I get a refund? Do not eat or open the product. You can return the meat (or your receipt) to the grocery store where it was purchased for a full refund. If disposing of it at home, double-bag the meat to prevent animal or human contact.
Important Links
- Official USDA Recall Notice: FSIS Announcement 042-2025
- Forward Farms Official Statement: E. coli Recall Notice
- Ask USDA (Food Safety Questions): Ask.USDA.gov
- USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)
🤖 Meta Acquisition of Manus: FAQs & Important Links
Meta (parent company of Facebook) has acquired the AI agent startup Manus in a deal valued at over $2 billion, marking a massive shift toward autonomous “agentic” AI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Manus? Manus is a Singapore-based startup (founded in China) known for creating the world’s first “general-purpose AI agent.” Unlike a chatbot, Manus can independently plan and execute tasks like market research, coding, and data analysis.
- Why did Meta buy it? CEO Mark Zuckerberg is betting on “agents” that can do work for you. Meta plans to integrate Manus technology into WhatsApp, Instagram, and Meta AI to help businesses and individuals automate complex workflows.
- Will Manus still operate independently? Yes. Manus has stated it will continue its independent operations in Singapore, continuing to offer its subscription services (currently $20/month) to existing users while scaling through Meta’s ecosystem.
- Why did Meta stock slip? Meta stock saw a slight premarket dip (approx. 0.8%) as investors weighed the high cost of acquisition ($2B+) against Meta’s already massive 2026 capital expenditure (capex) forecast of over $71 billion.
Important Links
- News Coverage: Meta to Buy Chinese-Founded Startup Manus (Reuters)
- Meta Investor Relations: Meta Platforms IR
- Manus Official Website: Manus.ai (Check for service updates and current agent capabilities).
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