Sunday, 13 July 2025
27.5 C
Singapore
28.5 C
Thailand
19.9 C
Indonesia
28.1 C
Philippines

Dub: The influencer-led trading app changing investing

Social media and investing collide with Dub, the copy trading app gaining traction among Gen Z. Will it revolutionise investing or face regulatory hurdles?

Social media has transformed everything from news consumption to shopping, and now, Dub aims to do the same for investing. This innovative app offers an influencer-led marketplace where users can follow the trades of top investors with just a few taps. Think of it as TikTok meets Wall Street.

Founded by 23-year-old Steven Wang, a Harvard drop-out who began investing in second grade, Dub believes the future of investing isn’t about picking stocks but picking people. Instead of making individual trade decisions, users can copy entire portfolios of traders, hedge funds, and even those replicating high-profile politicians’ moves.

The concept is already making waves. Dub has surpassed 800,000 downloads and secured US$17 million in seed funding, with another funding round seemingly on the horizon. However, questions remain about whether Dub can avoid the challenges that have plagued previous fintech startups.

The GameStop effect

Retail investing has changed dramatically in the past two decades. Gone are the days of high trading fees and outdated brokerage platforms, replaced by mobile-first apps like Robinhood, which made trading accessible to everyone. At the same time, social media is reshaping how people, especially Gen Z, approach financial decisions.

As a Harvard student trading from his dorm room during the pandemic, Wang noticed the intersection of these two trends: retail investing and influencer-driven decision-making. He saw the GameStop saga, Elon Musk’s ability to shift crypto markets with a tweet, and the rise of personality-driven investing. This led him to drop out in 2021 and launch Dub.

While the app’s average user is between 30 and 35 years old, Dub has also gained traction among younger audiences. Wang notes that even teenagers are discovering the platform, with one editor’s 15-year-old child expressing interest in “investing like Nancy Pelosi” after seeing Dub ads on Instagram. Though Pelosi is not involved, traders on the app mirror her disclosed investments.

The idea has caught fire. “Nancy Pelosi is up 123% on Dub with real capital,” Wang says. “We’ve helped our users make millions since launching that portfolio.”

Dub is not free. Users pay a US$10 monthly subscription, and top portfolios charge additional management fees. Dub takes a 25% commission. Growth has been driven by organic reach, as successful traders bring in their audiences, and aggressive advertising, particularly through meta platforms like Instagram.

Can Dub avoid fintech pitfalls?

The biggest challenge for Dub is avoiding regulatory scrutiny. Many fintech startups, including Robinhood, have faced legal battles over their business models. Robinhood, for example, was forced to remove its confetti animation for trades following concerns that it encouraged risky investing.

Dub is taking a different approach. The company spent over two years working with regulators before launching to ensure full compliance with financial laws. “We didn’t just navigate regulation at Dub — we embraced it,” Wang says. Like Robinhood, Dub is a fully licensed broker-dealer.

Wang insists that Dub is designed to educate users rather than promote speculation. The platform includes risk scores, risk-adjusted returns, and portfolio stability metrics to help investors make informed choices. “Making trading easy without expert guidance is just gambling,” Wang argues.

To reinforce this, he points to Robinhood’s decision to list the TRUMP meme coin ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. While it initially surged, its value has since plummeted. “Big platforms that are now public companies need to make money, and that often means their customers lose money,” Wang claims.

Some, however, remain sceptical. Critics argue that stock picking underperforms passive investing over time, with studies showing that most actively managed funds fail to beat the S&P 500. Wang pushes back against this, claiming such studies are “cherry-picked.” He points to the success of hedge funds like Citadel, which consistently generates strong returns for wealthy investors.

Whether Dub can maintain its rapid growth and regulatory compliance remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: it has already shaken up the investing world, and its influence is only growing.

Hot this week

Best action cameras in 2025 for every adventure: From budget picks to pro-grade gear

Discover the best action cameras in 2025 for every adventure, from budget-friendly options to pro-level gear with 8K video, advanced stabilisation, and rugged designs.

Most Asian firms overestimate cyber readiness, Commvault study finds

Commvault’s new report reveals a major gap between confidence and real-world cyber resilience in Singapore, Malaysia, and across Asia.

Infor expands partnership with AWS to accelerate generative AI adoption

Infor strengthens partnership with AWS to deliver generative AI solutions across industries and boost global reach via AWS Marketplace.

Microsoft to exit Pakistan after 25 years, shifting to reseller model

Microsoft ends its 25-year presence in Pakistan, shifting to a reseller model amid global cuts and broader industry challenges.

Samsung unveils slimmer Galaxy Z Fold7 with big camera and AI upgrades

Samsung launches its thinnest foldable yet, the Galaxy Z Fold7, featuring a 200MP camera, enhanced AI capabilities, and a larger display.

OpenAI preparing to launch AI-powered web browser to rival Chrome

OpenAI plans to launch a new AI-powered web browser, aiming to transform the browsing experience using ChatGPT technology.

Singapore to get Huawei’s 480kW ultra-fast EV charger by the end of 2025

Huawei brings 480kW ultra-fast EV charger to Singapore by late 2025, slashing charge times and boosting support for commercial vehicles.

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm share their vision for where mobile AI is heading

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm share how mobile AI will become more helpful, personal, and invisible in your everyday life.

Razer unveils DeathAdder V4 Pro with pro-level features and ultra-lightweight design

Razer’s DeathAdder V4 Pro lands with 8000Hz wireless polling, a lighter design, and esports-level precision for serious gamers.

Related Articles

Popular Categories