# Evolve Bank & Trust

**Type:** Banking institution  
**Domain:** Entertainment (fintech infrastructure for creator economy)  
**Status:** Active, under regulatory scrutiny  

## Overview

Evolve Bank & Trust is a banking partner for fintech companies, including creator economy platforms. FDIC insured up to $1M. Became banking partner for Step (acquired by Beast Industries, Feb 2026).

## Regulatory History

**2024:**
- Federal Reserve brought enforcement action for AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and compliance deficiencies
- Central player in Synapse bankruptcy—up to $96M in customer funds unlocatable
- Confirmed data breach exposing customer data on the dark web

**2026:**
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren cited Evolve's compliance record in March 2026 letter to Beast Industries, questioning Beast Industries' choice of Evolve as banking partner for Step's 7M+ teen users

## Significance

Evolve's regulatory history represents a test case for creator economy fintech infrastructure risk. The combination of active Fed enforcement action, bankruptcy involvement, and data breach created immediate congressional scrutiny when Beast Industries (MrBeast) acquired Step with Evolve as banking partner.

## Timeline

- **2024** — Federal Reserve enforcement action for AML/compliance deficiencies
- **2024** — Central role in Synapse bankruptcy, up to $96M customer funds unlocatable
- **2024** — Data breach confirmed, customer data exposed on dark web
- **2026-02-09** — Became banking partner for Step (acquired by Beast Industries)
- **2026-03** — Sen. Warren letter to Beast Industries cited Evolve's compliance failures as concern for teen-focused fintech expansion