YY
Website type
Online chat, streaming media
Available inChinese, Vietnamese
Traded asNasdaq: YY
OwnerJOYY
Websiteyy.com Edit this at Wikidata
RegistrationOptional
Launched2012; 14 years ago (2012)
Current statusActive

YY is a major Chinese video-based social network, a subsidiary of JOYY.[1] It features a virtual currency which users earn through activities such as karaoke or creating tutorial videos and which is later converted to real cash.[2] It started as an online gaming and esports platform but transitioned to broader use for livestreaming.[3]: 148  Users exchange "virtual roses" as a form of currency, with top users said to earn as much as $20,000 per month.[4][5] In November 2012, YY was listed on the NASDAQ.[6]

The website was originally known as YY Voice (Chinese: 语音). On 24 November 2014, YY's video streaming service began operating independently as Huya Live.[7][8]

On 18 November 2020, MuddyWatersResearch released a report claiming fraud in the financial and public reporting of JOYY Inc.[9] leading to a significant decrease in the value of its shares.[10]

In 2025, Baidu Inc. acquired the YY Live streaming platform from Joyy Inc., for about $2.1 billion.[11]

References

  1. ^ Sun, Leo (9 April 2020). "Tencent Gains Control of Huya: What Does This Mean for JOYY?". www.nasdaq.com. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. ^ Savov, Vlad (25 February 2025). "Baidu Buys YY Live Video Streaming Business for $2.1 Billion". Bloomberg.
  3. ^ Song, Chenyang (2025). Nationalist and Popular Culture Practices on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography of Chinese Online Fandom Nationalists. Bielefeld: Transcript. ISBN 978-3-8376-7926-7.
  4. ^ Leydon, Joe (15 March 2018). "Film Review: 'People's Republic of Desire' : Documentarian Hao Wu examines a unique form of digital interaction in contemporary China". Variety.
  5. ^ Geron, Tomio (11 June 2012). "YY.com: China's Unique Real-Time Voice And Video Service With A Virtual Goods Twist". Forbes. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Photo Release -- NASDAQ Welcomes Real-Time Rich Communication Social Platform, YY Inc., to The NASDAQ Stock Market" (Press release). Nasdaq. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  7. ^ 种昂 (1 February 2018). "虎牙直播改道上市 背后玄机引发业界猜疑". 经济观察网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. ^ "呕心沥血经营这么久的虎牙直播，YY还是把它给卖给了腾讯！" (in Chinese).[dead link]
  9. ^ "MW is Short Joyy Inc. (YY US)". Muddy Waters Research. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  10. ^ "JOYY INC (NASDAQ: YY) DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY ON MUDDY WATERS REPORT: Labaton Sucahrow Announces New Investigation of JOYY Inc. and Strongly Encourages Investors With Losses to Contact the Firm" (Press release). Labaton Sucharow LLP. Retrieved 11 August 2026 – via Business Wire.
  11. ^ Savov, Vlad (25 February 2025). "Baidu Buys YY Live Video Streaming Business for $2.1 Billion". Bloomberg. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
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