From Meme Stocks to Maturity: Why Gen Z Is Finally Catching Up to What We’ve Been Saying All Along
For a brief moment during the pandemic, investing looked like chaos disguised as opportunity.
Meme stocks surged, Reddit threads moved markets, and a generation of first-time investors learned (in real time) how emotional, volatile, and unforgiving short-term speculation can be.
A meme stock is the stock of a company that experiences a rapid, volatile price surge driven primarily by social media hype and retail investor coordination, rather than the company's underlying financial performance or fundamentals.
A recent article from The New York Times underlines something we at Beanstox, alongside Kevin O’Leary, have been saying for years:
Real wealth isn’t built by speculation. It’s built by discipline and consistent, long-term strategies.
The Meme Stock Era Was a Lesson, Not a Failure
It’s easy to look back and label the meme stock craze as reckless. But for Gen Z, it served a positive purpose.
It introduced millions of young people to the markets early. It showed them what volatility feels like. And most importantly, it taught a lesson Kevin repeats endlessly:
You can’t build a financial future on luck.
Some investors got out ahead. Many didn’t. But almost all discovered that chasing short-term wins is stressful, inconsistent, and impossible to sustain.
What Comes After Speculation? Structure.
The NY Times article highlights a clear shift among Gen Z investors today:
Less trading
More automation
Index funds instead of hype
Retirement accounts instead of moonshots
In other words, they’re doing what many long-term investors have been doing.
They’re building systems to automatically invest in the market.
This is exactly the mindset O’Leary has preached across decades of investing: remove emotion, remove noise, and let time do the work.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Zoom out and the behavior makes sense.
Young adults don’t want financial thrills — they want stability, control, and predictability.
Long-term investing isn’t boring when the alternative is financial anxiety.
It’s empowering.
Why Beanstox Was Built This Way
At Beanstox, we didn’t design a platform for trading dopamine or chasing trends. We built it around the same principles Kevin O’Leary has stood for when it comes to investing his family portfolios:
Consistency beats timing
Diversification beats conviction
Automation beats willpower
Discipline beats drama
Beanstox exists so investing can run quietly in the background of your life, not dominate your attention, your mood, or your day.
Gen Z Didn’t Change the Rules, They Learned Them
The meme stock era didn’t derail a generation of investors. It accelerated their education.
Now, many are landing exactly where long-term investing always leads to: fewer decisions, clearer goals, and investments that compound over time whether markets are loud or quiet.
What Kevin O’Leary and Beanstox have preached for years is finally becoming obvious to an entire generation.
Inspired by “They Invested in Meme Stocks. And Then They Grew Up.” (Jan 11, 2026), The New York Times.
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Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 12/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
** Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of Dec 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.39% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 3.57% (YCharts); 10x based on 4.12% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF's expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of December 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 12/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
7. Beanstox Bitcoin is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in digital assets, such as Bitcoins, is highly speculative and volatile, and only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Digital assets are not legal tender and are not backed by the U.S. government. Although exposure to Bitcoin can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, digital assets investments carry significant risk! Generally, you may want to consider limiting your digital assets allocation to no more than 5% of your investments. Even today, while Cryptocurrency is gaining a more prominent currency position, it’s still considered a highly volatile investment. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in Bitcoin. Bitcoin exposure is provided through the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of digital assets. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
8.Beanstox Gold is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in commodities, such as gold, is speculative and can be volatile, and may only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Although exposure to gold can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, commodities carry significant risk. Generally, you may want to consider limiting your commodities allocation to no more than 10% of your investments. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in gold. Beanstox’s gold exposure is provided through the iShares Gold Trust. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of commodities. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2026 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2026 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved
Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 12/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
** Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of Dec 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.39% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 3.57% (YCharts); 10x based on 4.12% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF's expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of December 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 12/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
7. Beanstox Bitcoin is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in digital assets, such as Bitcoins, is highly speculative and volatile, and only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Digital assets are not legal tender and are not backed by the U.S. government. Although exposure to Bitcoin can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, digital assets investments carry significant risk! Generally, you may want to consider limiting your digital assets allocation to no more than 5% of your investments. Even today, while Cryptocurrency is gaining a more prominent currency position, it’s still considered a highly volatile investment. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in Bitcoin. Bitcoin exposure is provided through the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of digital assets. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
8.Beanstox Gold is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in commodities, such as gold, is speculative and can be volatile, and may only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Although exposure to gold can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, commodities carry significant risk. Generally, you may want to consider limiting your commodities allocation to no more than 10% of your investments. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in gold. Beanstox’s gold exposure is provided through the iShares Gold Trust. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of commodities. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2026 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2026 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved
Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 12/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
** Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of Dec 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.39% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 3.57% (YCharts); 10x based on 4.12% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF's expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of December 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 12/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
7. Beanstox Bitcoin is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in digital assets, such as Bitcoins, is highly speculative and volatile, and only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Digital assets are not legal tender and are not backed by the U.S. government. Although exposure to Bitcoin can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, digital assets investments carry significant risk! Generally, you may want to consider limiting your digital assets allocation to no more than 5% of your investments. Even today, while Cryptocurrency is gaining a more prominent currency position, it’s still considered a highly volatile investment. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in Bitcoin. Bitcoin exposure is provided through the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of digital assets. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
8.Beanstox Gold is a self-directed portfolio and should not be considered to be a recommendation. Investing in commodities, such as gold, is speculative and can be volatile, and may only suitable for investors who are able to bear the risk of potential loss and experience sharp drawdowns. Although exposure to gold can help further diversify your investment portfolios for the long-term, commodities carry significant risk. Generally, you may want to consider limiting your commodities allocation to no more than 10% of your investments. Beanstox does not provide access to invest directly in gold. Beanstox’s gold exposure is provided through the iShares Gold Trust. This is considered a high-risk investment given the speculative and volatile nature of commodities. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2026 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2026 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved