The paying for dates etc is about EFFORT not cash.

Wealthy men have high disposable income. They will use it to impress (frequently younger or more naive) women, in order to manipulate them.

It is a form of power for them. They like the feeling that they can easily get women to sleep with them, that they can manipulate or hold women beholden to them; or they know it's a way to get sex or a casual thing. They like feeling that they hold all the cards. They like feeling that money can buy them anything.

BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS of wealthy men who throw a lot of money at you prematurely or early on- e.g over the top gifts, expensive dinners, trips abroad, etc. etc. etc. It is a lovebombing manipulation tactic.

Guys should put in the effort and pay. For dates but it's important to pay attention to whether this is proportional to how well you know each other, or whether there are ulterior motives. There's a lot of nuance here but if he is being overly showy, holding expectations, pressuring you or insinuating anything then BEWARE.