Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has expanded his fast-growing business empire into financial services with the acquisition of Step, a Gen Z-focused banking and financial education platform. The deal was announced by Donaldson on social media, positioning the world’s most-followed YouTuber as a new entrant into youth finance.
Step offers debit and credit cards, interest-bearing accounts, and tools designed to help young users build credit and manage money responsibly. While often described as a banking app, Step is technically a financial services platform and operates through a partnership with Evolve Bank & Trust.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and neither Step nor Beast Industries commented further on valuation. The move nevertheless marks another strategic diversification for Donaldson, whose portfolio already spans media, food, entertainment, and live experiences.
A Creator-Led Push Into Financial Education
Donaldson framed the acquisition as a mission-driven move, citing his own lack of access to financial education growing up. “Nobody taught me about investing, building credit, or managing money when I was growing up,” he said. “I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had.”
That positioning aligns closely with Step’s core proposition, which targets teens and young adults who are often underserved or excluded by traditional banks. The platform emphasizes early credit-building and money management tools designed for first-time financial users.
By bringing Step under the Beast Industries umbrella, MrBeast gains a direct channel to translate his massive Gen Z and Gen Alpha reach into a long-term financial product, potentially turning audience trust into sustained user engagement.
Takeaway
Step’s Platform and Strategic Fit
Founded by CEO CJ MacDonald, Step has positioned itself as a financial on-ramp for younger users, offering simplified products alongside educational features. While it does not hold a banking license, its partnership model allows it to deliver regulated financial services without operating as a bank itself.
MacDonald said the acquisition would allow Step to scale faster and broaden its product roadmap. “We’re excited about how this acquisition is going to amplify our platform and bring more groundbreaking products to Step customers,” he said in a statement.
The platform’s focus on financial literacy could also align naturally with MrBeast’s philanthropic brand, which frequently revolves around life-changing cash prizes and large-scale giveaways featured in his videos.
Takeaway
From Viral Content to Financial Infrastructure
MrBeast commands more than 450 million YouTube subscribers, making him the most-followed creator on the platform. His videos, often involving high-stakes challenges and philanthropic twists, can cost millions to produce and are supported by a team of roughly 300 people.
Beyond YouTube, Donaldson has built a diversified business portfolio including an Amazon Prime Video game show, a pop-up amusement park in Saudi Arabia called Beast Land, and the snack brand Feastables, which reportedly generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
The Step acquisition suggests a shift from purely entertainment-driven ventures toward infrastructure-style businesses with recurring engagement. Teaching financial literacy to the same audience that watches contestants compete for six-figure prizes could create a compelling feedback loop between content and real-world financial behavior.
