MrBeast, known for his extravagant and often philanthropic stunts on YouTube, has surprised marketers by diving headfirst into the finance space. He’s the recent owner of Step, a fintech app built for Gen Z. Creator MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, is determined to arm the next generation with the financial literacy tools he didn’t have growing up. This acquisition moves them closer to achieving that goal. Under the name MrBeast, he’s amassed more than 466 million subscribers, making him YouTube’s most-subscribed creator. He’s known as the undisputed king of ambitious projects that extend far beyond video production.
MrBeast’s recent acquisition of Step is a perfect example of this alignment. An ambitious, leaked pitch document released last year described his plans to invest heavily in this area. Step, founded by CJ MacDonald, offers financial services designed for Gen Z, enabling users to build credit, save money, and invest. The app has become incredibly popular, now with more than 7 million users. Like Roblox, it’s captured the imagination of investors, raising close to a half billion dollars from luminaries like Charli D’Amelio, Will Smith, The Chainsmokers, Stephen Curry, General Catalyst, Coatue and Stripe.
MrBeast’s vision for Step ties back to his own experiences with financial education. At 27 years old, he stated, “Nobody taught me about investing, building credit, or managing money when I was growing up. I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had.” This feeling drives his work—ensuring a new generation has the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to become financially self-sufficient.
As both companies already foresee it, the acquisition is expected to enrich Step’s platform considerably. CJ MacDonald expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re excited about how this acquisition is going to amplify our platform and bring more groundbreaking products to Step customers.” With MrBeast’s backing, Step is poised to explore innovative financial products tailored specifically for young users navigating their financial journeys.
Alongside his new fintech startup, MrBeast has teased launching a phone company too. His ambitions are a part of a larger plan to spread his brand and influence beyond the world of video virality. It’s this multidimensionality that makes him more than just a YouTuber, rather a formidable force across industries.