Jimmy Donaldson – MrBeast, the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber with more than 450 million subscribers — has acquired Step, a US-based teen banking app, with patent filings showing Beast Industries has already explored branding under “MrBeast Financial” covering banking, investment advisory, and cryptocurrency exchange services.
The move positions the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber to expand beyond media and consumer products into digital banking, financial literacy, and potentially cryptocurrency services. The MrBeast Step Acquisition represents a strategic push into financial services aimed at Generation Z, leveraging his massive online following to reshape how young users engage with money.
Founded in 2018, Step offers an integrated platform that allows users to save, spend, invest, and build credit. The company has attracted backing from Stripe and venture capital firms including Coatue, Collaborative Fund, Crosslink Capital, and General Catalyst. Financial terms of the MrBeast Step Acquisition were not disclosed.
MrBeast Step Acquisition expands into fintech and crypto
Donaldson revealed the MrBeast Step Acquisition in a post on X, describing the deal as a mission-driven effort rooted in personal experience.
“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.” — Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), Founder, Beast Industries.
The statement frames the MrBeast Step Acquisition as more than a commercial transaction. It signals an ambition to provide financial tools and education to younger audiences who form the core of MrBeast’s 450 million-plus subscriber base.
Regulatory filings add further context. According to documents submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office, Beast Industries has explored branding under “MrBeast Financial.”
The filings suggest potential offerings spanning banking services, investment advisory functions, and cryptocurrency exchange capabilities. While no formal crypto platform has been launched, the scope outlined in the filings indicates that the MrBeast Step Acquisition could evolve into a broader digital finance ecosystem.
Beast Industries has been actively raising capital to fund its expansion. In 2025, the company secured a $200 million investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies, chaired by Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, one of the largest corporate holders of Ether. That investment has fueled speculation that cryptocurrency services could eventually become part of the strategy surrounding the MrBeast Step Acquisition.
Strategic vision behind the MrBeast Step Acquisition
Jeff Housenbold, CEO of Beast Industries, described the deal as consistent with the company’s long-term direction.
“This positions us to meet our audiences where they are, with practical, technology-driven solutions that can transform their financial futures for the better.” — Jeff Housenbold, CEO, Beast Industries.
Housenbold’s remarks highlight how the MrBeast Step Acquisition aligns with a broader effort to integrate commerce, entertainment, and now financial services. Rather than operating as a standalone fintech experiment, Step is expected to become part of an expanding creator-driven ecosystem.
Step’s platform is designed to introduce financial tools to younger users, offering debit cards, savings features, and credit-building mechanisms. By integrating these services with MrBeast’s brand reach, the MrBeast Step Acquisition could accelerate user growth among digitally native consumers.
Industry analysts note that creator-led brands are increasingly diversifying into adjacent sectors, but the scale of the MrBeast Step Acquisition distinguishes it from typical influencer partnerships. With billions of monthly views across channels, MrBeast’s audience reach provides a built-in distribution engine for financial products.
Expanding the Beast ecosystem into digital finance
The MrBeast Step Acquisition adds fintech to a portfolio that already includes Feastables, a snack brand; Beast Philanthropy, a charitable arm; and Beast Games, a reality competition series on Amazon Prime Video. Each venture leverages Donaldson’s digital footprint, which exceeds 5 billion monthly views as of early 2026.