The crypto world is abuzz as Forbes releases its annual list of the wealthiest people in the blockchain industry. With Bitcoin surging to new heights and the total value of all cryptocurrencies increasing by 170% over the past year, there are now 17 crypto billionaires on the list, up from nine last year. These individuals have a collective net worth of $93 billion, double the amount from the previous year.
Taking the top spot for the third year in a row is Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, the founder and former CEO of Binance. Despite facing legal troubles and pleading guilty to money laundering charges, CZ’s fortune has skyrocketed to $33 billion, making him the biggest gainer in the industry in dollar terms. Much of his wealth comes from his majority stake in Binance, the largest global crypto exchange by trading volume.
Two other notable names on the list include Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, and Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase. Saylor’s net worth has jumped to $4.4 billion, thanks to his company’s heavy investments in Bitcoin, while Armstrong’s fortune has soared to $11.2 billion as shares of Coinbase have more than quadrupled in value over the past year.
Several new faces have also made their debut on the list, including Giancarlo Devasini, Paolo Ardoino, Jean-Louis van der Velde, and Stuart Hoegner, all large shareholders of Tether, a controversial stablecoin issuer. Other well-known names on the list include the Winklevoss twins, venture capitalist Tim Draper, and Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb.
Overall, the top ten richest people in the crypto industry include familiar names such as Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Jed McCaleb, and Matthew Roszak, whose wealth ranges from $2.9 billion to $3.9 billion. Brian Armstrong of Coinbase takes the second spot with a net worth of $11.2 billion, while Changpeng Zhao of Binance remains at the top with a fortune of $33 billion.
Despite legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny, the crypto industry continues to thrive, with many individuals reaping the benefits of their investments and ventures in the blockchain space. As the market continues to evolve and grow, these crypto billionaires are likely to see their fortunes continue to increase, solidifying their positions as some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
