Headline: MrBeast Enters Fintech with Acquisition of Youth-Banking App Step 📈

Beast Industries, the holding company of world-renowned YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), has acquired the financial services platform Step. The move marks a significant expansion of the creator's business empire into the regulated fintech sector, targeting Gen Z and young adult demographics. • Strategic Acquisition & Scale Target: Step, an all-in-one money app for teens and young adults focused on financial literacy. User Base: Over 7 million existing users. Funding Context: Beast Industries recently secured a US$ 200 Mn investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies to fuel such expansions. Valuation: While the acquisition price remains undisclosed, Beast Industries was valued at approximately US$ 5.2 Bn in 2024. • Product & Operations Services: Provides no-fee banking, Visa cards, credit-building tools, and investing features. Partnership: Step remains a non-bank, utilizing Evolve Bank & Trust for FDIC-insured banking services. Leadership: Will operate under Beast Industries, led by CEO Jeff Housenbold, integrating with existing ventures like Feastables and ICT/BPM digital services. • Economic Impact & Diversification Audience Reach: Leverages Donaldson’s 466 million+ subscribers to scale financial literacy tools. Market Shift: Signals a maturation of the creator economy where top influencers transition from simple endorsements to acquiring and operating complex fintech and consumer goods infrastructure. _Note: Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed._