In a landmark deal for the creator economy, Jimmy Donaldson (better known as MrBeast) announced on February 9, 2026, that his holding company, Beast Industries, has acquired the teen-focused fintech platform Step.
The acquisition marks MrBeast’s first major move into the financial services sector, merging his massive digital reach with an established banking infrastructure.
The Deal: Beast Industries x Step
While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, the deal brings a platform with over 7 million users and nearly $500 million in prior funding under the MrBeast umbrella.
| Feature | Details (February 2026) |
| Parent Entity | Beast Industries (valued at $5.2B in 2024) |
| Step User Base | 7 Million+ (Teens and Young Adults) |
| Banking Partner | Evolve Bank & Trust (FDIC Insured) |
| Key Products | Credit-building cards, high-yield savings, and investing tools. |
| New Initiatives | MrBeast Financial YouTube channel & potential student loans. |
Why MrBeast Bought a Banking App
1. Solving the “Customer Acquisition” Problem
Fintech companies typically spend hundreds of dollars to acquire a single user. MrBeast, with over 466 million subscribers and 5 billion monthly views, provides Step with an immediate, zero-cost marketing funnel that traditional banks cannot match.
2. Personal Mission: Financial Literacy
Donaldson cited his own lack of financial education as a primary motivator for the deal.
“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.” — MrBeast on X, Feb 9, 2026
3. Vertical Integration
The move follows a pattern of MrBeast bringing core services in-house. A fan who watches a MrBeast video can now eat Feastables, use a Beast Mobile phone service (upcoming), and manage their prize money or savings through Step.
What’s Next for Step Users?
Under Beast Industries, Step is expected to undergo a “gamified” transformation:
- Creator-Led Content: A new YouTube channel dedicated to financial literacy will use Step’s tools to teach investing, Roth IRAs, and credit building.
- Prize Integration: Future MrBeast challenges (like his recent “30 Celebrities Fight for $1,000,000”) will likely use the Step app to distribute winnings and manage contestant payouts.
- Expanded Services: Rumors and trademark filings suggest the platform may soon expand into insurance products, student loans, and potentially a crypto exchange.
Regulatory Hurdles
The acquisition puts MrBeast under the microscope of financial regulators. While Step is a technology platform and not a bank itself (relying on Evolve Bank & Trust), the “MrBeast Financial” ecosystem will face strict compliance requirements regarding youth banking and data privacy that don’t typically apply to content creators.
