MrBeast, the YouTube personality known as Jimmy Donaldson, has acquired Step, a Gen Z-focused financial services app, in a move signaling a significant expansion of his business empire beyond entertainment and into the fintech sector. The acquisition, confirmed by Beast Industries, brings a platform with over seven million users and a dedicated fintech team under the MrBeast umbrella.
Founded in 2018 by CJ MacDonald and Alexey Kalinichenko, Step offers a Visa card and tools designed to help young people learn to save, spend, and invest, without charging monthly fees. The app partners with Evolve Bank & Trust for regulated banking services, established in 2022, as it is not a licensed bank itself. Step has garnered backing from Stripe and various venture capital firms, establishing credibility within the financial technology industry.
Donaldson, who boasts over 450 million subscribers and billions of monthly views across his online channels as of early 2026, explained his motivation for the purchase in a statement to his audience. “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,” he said. “I desire to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had. Lots to share soon.”
Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold echoed this sentiment, stating that the acquisition “positions us to meet our audiences where they are, with practical, technology-driven solutions that can transform their financial futures for the better.” The app will now operate under the Beast Industries banner, integrating personal finance directly with the MrBeast brand.
The deal follows a period of fundraising for Beast Industries, including a $200 million investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies, a company with ties to cryptocurrency markets through its Ether holdings. The financial terms of the Step acquisition have not been disclosed, and no timeline has been provided for operational changes following the integration.
