X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, is inching closer to becoming a full-blown fintech ecosystem. CEO Linda Yaccarino told the Financial Times that users will “soon” be able to invest or trade directly on the app—part of Elon Musk's grander vision to turn X into a U.S. version of China's WeChat. That includes everything from peer-to-peer payments via X Money to digital tipping and possibly even credit or debit cards, which could arrive as early as this year. The rollout will begin in the U.S., with Visa onboard as a launch partner, before expanding to other markets.
The move comes as X tries to climb out of its post-acquisition slump. Since Musk's $44 billion takeover, advertising revenue has dropped sharply, and the platform has battled both reputational damage and advertiser boycotts. Yaccarino says 96% of pre-acquisition advertisers have returned and expects revenue to rebound to 2022 levels “super soon.” But not everyone's convinced. Some advertisers remain wary, citing concerns over brand safety, content toxicity, and reports of pressure to spend or face legal action. Research firm Emarketer sees X's 2025 revenue reaching $2.3 billion, up from $1.9 billion last year—but still far below the $4.1 billion it generated when Musk first took the reins.
There's also a tech twist. In March, Musk folded X into his AI startup xAI in a $45 billion deal. Yaccarino believes this will double the engineering horsepower behind the platform and help deliver smarter, real-time ad targeting around trending content. While X may face serious regulatory friction as it pushes into payments and investing, the potential upside is significant. If it works, X could carve out a unique lane that blends trading, tipping, and transacting in one app—territory even Tesla (TSLA, Financial) hasn't touched.
