In a move signaling a significant pivot into the financial technology sector, MrBeast, the digital content creator and entrepreneur whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has acquired the financial services app Step. This acquisition marks a strategic entry for Donaldson’s company, Beast Industries, into the burgeoning fintech landscape, with a clear focus on engaging and empowering younger demographics.
Step, billed as an all-in-one money management platform, offers teens and young adults tools for managing finances, building credit, and accessing various financial instruments. Under the new ownership, Step will operate as a key component of Beast Industries, a venture that has been actively fundraising and diversifying its portfolio.
Donaldson, who boasts one of the largest subscriber bases on YouTube, articulated the rationale behind the acquisition, stating, “Nobody taught me about investing, building credit, or managing money when I was growing up. That’s exactly why we’re joining forces with Step. I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had. Lots to share soon.”
While the financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Beast Industries has recently secured substantial investment, including a $200 million commitment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies, a significant holder of Ether. This influx of capital underscores a broader strategy for expansion and innovation within Donaldson’s growing business empire.
Step has garnered support from prominent players in the tech and finance world, including Stripe, Coatue, Collaborative Fund, Crosslink Capital, and General Catalyst. Founded in 2018 by fintech veterans CJ MacDonald and Alexey Kalinichenko, Step’s core mission aligns with fostering financial literacy among younger generations.
Although not a traditional bank, Step has established a partnership with Evolve Bank & Trust for its banking services. The platform provides users with a Step Visa Card, an account for saving, spending, sending money, and investing, all without incurring monthly fees.
Beast Industries views the acquisition as synergistic, with Step’s user base of over 7 million, its robust technology infrastructure, and its dedicated fintech team poised to complement Donaldson’s extensive digital reach and philanthropic endeavors.
“This acquisition positions us to meet our audiences where they are, with practical, technology-driven solutions that can transform their financial futures for the better,” stated Jeff Housenbold, CEO of Beast Industries.
Beyond this new fintech venture, Beast Industries encompasses a range of successful enterprises, including the snack brand Feastables, the non-profit arm Beast Philanthropy, and the reality competition series Beast Games on Amazon Prime Video. These ventures collectively leverage Donaldson’s immense online influence, which, as of early 2026, commanded over 450 million subscribers and generated approximately 5 billion monthly views across his various YouTube channels. The strategic integration of Step signifies a calculated step towards building a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services designed to resonate with a digitally native audience.
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