Perplexity Makes Bold $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Pressure

In a stunning move that could reshape the tech landscape, AI-powered search startup Perplexity has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google Chrome, according to Reuters and confirmed by Perplexity to TechCrunch.

The offer arrives at a pivotal moment for Google, which is facing mounting antitrust pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice. In March, a federal judge ruled that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in online search, prompting the DOJ to propose that the company divest its dominant browser, Chrome. Google has vowed to fight the ruling and has not agreed to sell.

Perplexity’s bid includes a pledge to keep Chrome’s underlying engine, Chromium, open source and to invest $3 billion into its continued development. The company also promises not to alter Chrome’s user defaults—meaning Google would remain the default search engine, despite Perplexity’s own AI-powered search ambitions.

The startup’s offer is notable not only for its size but also for its timing. Chrome commands roughly 68% of the global browser market, according to Statcounter, making it one of the most valuable digital assets in the world. DuckDuckGo’s CEO testified earlier this year that Chrome could be worth “upwards of $50 billion,” suggesting Perplexity’s bid could be a relative bargain if the court mandates a sale.

Still, the offer far exceeds Perplexity’s current financial standing. The company has raised approximately $1.5 billion to date, including a $100 million extension round last month that valued it at $18 billion, according to Bloomberg and PitchBook.

Perplexity’s spokesperson told TechCrunch they believe the court could set terms for remedies as early as this month. The DOJ is also pursuing a separate case against Google’s advertising business, proposing that the tech giant divest key adtech products or break up its ad operations entirely.

Perplexity, meanwhile, is aggressively expanding its footprint. Last month, it launched its own browser, Comet, aimed at building a direct channel to users without relying on Google’s ecosystem. The company also reportedly submitted a bid to merge with TikTok, signaling its ambition to become a major player across multiple digital domains.

Google has not commented on the offer. TechCrunch said it will update its report if the company responds.

If the court forces Google to divest Chrome, Perplexity’s bid could be the first of many. With Chrome’s massive market share and strategic importance, global interest in acquiring the browser is likely to be intense.