YouTube creator Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, through his company Beast Industries, has acquired the teen-focused financial services app Step in February 2026, marking his entry into the fintech sector. The acquisition aims to improve financial literacy among younger generations while leveraging his massive online presence.
Strategic Goals:
- Financial Education: Donaldson cited his own experience with limited financial education growing up and intends to provide youth with tools for investing, credit building, and money management.
- Audience Integration: With over 450 million YouTube subscribers, MrBeast plans to convert viewers into users of Step’s financial services.
- Content Expansion: A dedicated YouTube channel on personal finance and investing is in the works to complement Step’s platform.
Step Overview:
- Users & Funding: Step serves more than 7 million users and previously raised about $500 million.
- Services: Offers a fee-free mobile account, credit-building Visa card, and savings and stock trading tools.
- Bank Partnership: Services are provided through Evolve Bank & Trust, which remains the sponsor bank.
Business Context:
- Beast Financial Vision: Following 2025 trademark filings for “Beast Financial” and “MrBeast Financial,” future plans may include crypto exchange and payment processing services.
- Recent Investment: Beast Industries received a $200 million investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies in January 2026, valuing the company at $5 billion.
- Step Valuation: Analysts note Step was valued at $920 million in its 2021 funding round, though the exact purchase price was undisclosed.
This acquisition positions MrBeast as a key player in youth fintech, combining entertainment, digital influence, and financial education.
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