Steven Wang Launches Dub to Counter Meme Stock Hype with Copy Trading for Young Investors

Steven Wang, the 23-year-old founder of “dub,” a copy-trading platform, began his investing journey in second grade when he persuaded his parents to open a custodial stock account. Now, he is using his experience to address what he sees as a growing problem: the unrealistic expectations and lack of risk awareness among young investors driven by the popularity of meme stocks and viral finance content [1]. Wang argues that platforms like TikTok, where bite-sized investment advice reaches 62% of Gen Z, are shaping a generation that prioritizes fast wealth over foundational financial knowledge [2].

Wang’s company, dub, offers a platform where novice investors can replicate the trades of vetted professionals in real time. This approach, known as copy trading, allows users to follow experienced traders, hedge-fund veterans, and other seasoned market participants without having to conduct their own research [1]. The idea is to democratize access to professional investment strategies, which Wang says the ultra-wealthy have long benefited from [2]. Unlike traditional investing, which can be intimidating for beginners, dub aims to lower the barriers to entry while still promoting discipline and transparency.

Wang, who grew up near Detroit and was raised by immigrant parents working in the auto industry, was exposed to the volatility of markets early. He cites the impact of the Great Financial Crisis on blue-collar families as a formative experience that fueled his ambition to create a more stable financial future for others [1]. By the pandemic, he was already day trading from his Harvard dorm room, witnessing firsthand how misinformation and hype could lead new investors to lose money [2]. These experiences led him to develop dub as a tool to bridge the gap between the average investor and the expertise of Wall Street professionals.

The need for such a platform, Wang argues, is evident in the findings of a Harris Poll survey commissioned by his company. The survey revealed that while 60% of Gen Z and 66% of millennials are investing outside of their 401(k)s, only 17% of Americans feel very confident in their understanding of how markets work [2]. This disconnect, he says, is partly due to the influence of FinTok—financial influencers on TikTok and Instagram who often lack accountability. “If someone’s wrong on social media, they just delete the video and move on,” Wang notes [1].

Dub aims to counteract the dangers of this environment by offering transparency and structure. Every portfolio on the platform has a visible track record, and users can see exactly how each creator has performed over time [2]. Creators are vetted and regulated, and they earn royalties based on the performance of their portfolios, which Wang says aligns incentives toward consistent, long-term results rather than one-off viral trades [1]. Dub also ensures that users not only copy trades but also understand the rationale behind them, fostering a deeper learning process [2].

Wang is not naïve about the challenges. He acknowledges that dub is competing in a market where “hype and misinformation” are common pitfalls [2]. Yet he remains confident that providing access to professional-grade tools can help shift the narrative from get-rich-quick schemes to more sustainable investing practices. Dub spent over two years working with the SEC and FINRA before launch, registering as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser to ensure standard investor protections are in place [1].

While dub is not a substitute for financial education, Wang believes it can serve as a stepping stone for young investors to build confidence and understanding. He hopes to change how his generation views the stock market—not as a place for viral wins, but as a long-term tool for wealth creation. “We’re here to build trust, not trends,” he said [1].

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[1] A 23-year-old CEO convinced his parents to open a custodial account in second grade. He fears meme stocks inflate Gen Z’s dreams of getting rich quick. (https://fortune.com/2025/08/15/gen-z-millenial-ceo-stock-market-investments-influencers-financial-advisors/)

[2] A 23-year-old CEO convinced his parents to open a custodial ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/23-old-ceo-convinced-parents-095000326.html)