X, formerly Twitter, is gearing up to become more than just a social media platform. CEO Linda Yaccarino recently confirmed that users will soon be able to trade and invest directly on X, moving the platform closer to Elon Musk’s vision of creating an all-in-one “everything app.”
X Money Launches With Visa Support
At the heart of this financial leap is X Money, a new digital wallet and peer-to-peer payment service launching later this year in collaboration with Visa. Initially rolling out in the U.S., X Money will allow users to tip creators, purchase merchandise, store value, and even make trades or investments, all without leaving the app.
Yaccarino said users will be able to manage their “whole financial life” on X, whether it’s splitting a dinner bill or making an investment. The feature rollout marks a big step in Musk’s broader plan to merge social interaction with financial utility.
Emarketer projects X’s revenue to grow to $2.3 billion this year, up from $1.9 billion in 2024, though still far below the $4.1 billion it made globally in 2022 when Musk took over.
Regulatory and Advertiser Hurdles Ahead
Despite the buzz, X still faces regulatory challenges. Its shift into finance could trigger scrutiny around licensing, compliance, and financial oversight. There’s also ongoing tension in the advertising space. While Yaccarino claimed 96% of former advertisers have returned since Musk’s takeover in 2022, skepticism lingers.
The company is currently entangled in a federal antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, accusing it of organizing a boycott masked as a safety initiative. Following their antitrust lawsuit, X has removed companies like Unilever from the complaint after they resumed advertising on the platform in October.
Some advertisers remain hesitant to fully return to X, citing ongoing concerns over toxic content and doubts about the platform meeting its goals. According to reports, a few felt pressured to resume ad spending, some even warned of potential lawsuits if they didn’t comply, amid unease over Elon Musk’s close ties to Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, X continues to deny allegations of strong-arming brands into advertising.
Musk’s xAI Acquisition Raises Eyebrows
Adding to the drama, Elon Musk recently sold X to his AI venture xAI in an $80 billion all-stock deal that also transferred X’s $12 billion debt. The move has raised legal and financial concerns, especially after a judge declined to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit tied to Musk’s original acquisition.
Critics like Adam Cochran argue Musk may have overvalued xAI to shift liabilities and data under the AI firm, calling the transaction “insanely dumb.” Still, with revenue projected to rise to $2.3 billion in 2025, X’s transformation is well underway.
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