However, as with all entrepreneurial ventures, it was not without its difficulties. After a series of mergers and rebrands, X.com eventually became PayPal. Musk's role in the creation of PayPal cannot be underestimated. Although he was ousted as CEO in a management shake-up, his fundamental influence was evident in the company's ethos and direction. When PayPal went public in 2002 and was subsequently acquired by eBay, Musk's stake in the company brought him a substan-tial sum of money, providing him with the capital needed for his subsequent projects. Beyond the financial gains, however, PayPal's success reinforced Musk's belief in the potential of digital finance. It was clear that his aspirations in this sector were far from over. Over the years, as he focused on rockets and cars, the lure of the financial revolution remained. Many years later, with the acquisition and transformation of Twitter into X, it seems that Musk has come full circle, returning to his roots in the world of finance, but with a grander vision than ever before.

Banks have been the foundation of the financial system for centuries, and challenging their dominance requires not only technological innovation, but also a change in public perception and trust. Musk believes that by offering a more efficient, transparent and user-friendly platform, X can win over users and make traditional banks obsolete, in a short space of time.

One of X's underlying philosophies is the idea of financial autonomy. Musk imagines a platform where users have total control over their financial lives without the need for interme-diaries. In Musk's own words, he wants X to manage users' "entire financial lives" so that they "no longer need a bank account" by the end of next year.

Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence and Musk's experience in the field, X may choose to harness AI to offer per-sonalised financial advice to users. Whether it's investment strategies, budget advice or loan recommendations, AI can help users make informed financial decisions and help differ-entiate X's offering. Decentralised finance (DeFI) is changing the game in the financial sector, and it is likely that X will integrate DeFi solutions, enabling users to lend, borrow and collect interest in a decentralised way, free from traditional banking constraints. Furthermore, in the digital age, security is paramount. X should implement state-of-the-art security protocols, ensuring that users' financial data and assets are protected from potential threats. This could include biometric authentication, end-to-end encryption and blockchain-based security measures. One of the challenges posed by traditional banks is their limited accessibility across borders. X, as a digital platform, aims to offer global accessibility, ensuring that users in different parts of the world can access and use its financial services without geographical constraints, making this offering potentially even more attractive in countries where financial institutions are less robust.

One of the main obstacles X could face is regulation. The financial sector is heavily regulated, and any misstep could have serious repercussions. However, Musk has navigated regulatory waters before, whether with Tesla's autonomous driving features or SpaceX's launches. By taking the right approach and working with regulators, X is likely to find its way. As previously mentioned, for users to switch from established banks to a new platform like X, trust is imperative. Despite initial reluctance, Musk's reputation and emphasis on security could allay concerns. If X can demonstrate flawless security and a commitment to user privacy, it can earn the trust of users.
What's more, for X to replace traditional banks, it needs to offer transparent global transactions, which means managing different currencies, regulations, and financial ecosystems. This is a complex challenge, but Musk is no stranger to global integration, having been involved in international projects such as Starlink, which aims to provide worldwide Internet coverage. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, one of Musk’s undeniable strengths is his ability to rally people around a vision. His charisma, combined with a clear roadmap for X, can attract the best talent, investors, and partners. It is precisely this collective effort that is likely to be the driving force behind X's success.
Although the challenges are considerable, if anyone can revolutionise the financial sector, it's Elon Musk. His ability to turn visions into successful projects, combined with the changing financial landscape, suggests that his dreams of the X future could turn into reality.