Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup known for its autonomous agents, in a deal valued at more than $2 billion.

Internal analyses showed that universal verification could be implemented globally in under six weeks and would significantly reduce scam ads. Meta’s own tests found verification cut scam advertising by up to 29 percent in some markets.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta says it has agreed to acquire Manus, a fast-growing AI startup with Chinese roots now based in Singapore, in a deal valued at more than $2 billion, according to multiple reports.

Meta acquires AI startup Manus in a $2 billion deal, signaling a shift toward AI agents integrated across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms.

In June, Meta made a significant $14.3 billion investment in AI data company Scale and recruited its CEO, Alexandr Wang, to help lead a team developing "superintelligence" within the tech giant.

Manus was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs. The company’s origins immediately set off alarm bells in Washington amid intensifying US-China tensions.

Meta is expanding its Superintelligence Lab beyond the US, with Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang announcing new AI roles in Singapore as part of the company’s global hiring push.