MrBeast‘s latest transaction will allow him to Step into the world of financial services. On X, the world’s most popular YouTube star announced that his company Beast Industries has acquired Step, a financial services app that appeals primarily to kids, teens, and young adults.
Jimmy Donaldson — the man behind the MrBeast account — announced the Step acquisition in a post on X. “Nobody taught me about investing, building credit, or managing money when I was growing up,” he wrote. “That’s exactly why we’re joining forces with Step! I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had.”
Donaldson’s filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office give us an idea of how Beast Industries plans to leverage its latest acquisition. Last year, Donaldson obtained a trademark for the phrase “MrBeast Financial.” According to the telling document, MrBeast Financial will offer a broad range of monetary services. Essentially, it figures to be an investment bank, an advisory firm, and a crypto exchange all rolled into one.
Subscribe to get the latest creator news
Ever since the typical MrBeast video began offering up gobsmacking sums of money, Donaldson has repeatedly advocated for firms that promote financial literacy. His long-term relationship with Current included a 2021 investment in the fintech company, and he joined forces with MoneyLion to power a multi-million-dollar giveaway in 2024.
Since rebranding his personal company to Beast Industries, Donaldson has looked to build more in-house units to reduce his reliance on external partnerships (which can produce friction at times). Based on information that has been presented in Beast Industries pitch decks, one of Donaldson’s long-term goals is to redistribute resources from expensive projects (like YouTube videos) to potential moneymakers (like financial services).
Enter Step. Donaldson didn’t have a long public history with the app before acquiring it, but another big-name creator did. In 2020, Step made Charli D’Amelio the face of its company. With a direct appeal to Gen Z, Step showed its willingness to cater to the next generation of money managers.
Now, that effort will flow through MrBeast. Donaldson wants his young fans to make smart financial decisions, and he plans to accompany them on that journey every step of the way.
