List of Top Richest Crypto Founders: Meet the Blockchain Billionaires
Cryptocurrencies have ushered in a new era of wealth, creating a wave of crypto billionaires and millionaires. These individuals, often the founders of renowned crypto companies, have become integral figures in the crypto space since its inception. The recent surge in cryptocurrency prices, with Bitcoin reaching over $70,000 as of March 27, 2024, has piqued interest in crypto investments and led people to wonder who the richest crypto founders and billionaires are.
So, who are the wealthiest crypto founders in the world in 2024? In this report by Coinpedia, we will explore the prominent faces of the cryptocurrency world who have experienced meteoric rises to wealth. Let’s delve into their stories!
Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, is a Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. With a net worth of $33 billion, CZ’s journey to wealth began in the early 2000s when he entered the tech industry. He held significant positions at companies like Bloomberg Tradebook and Blockchain.com. However, his immense wealth stems from the success of Binance and its affiliated tokens. CZ founded Binance in 2017, transforming it into one of the most popular and influential crypto exchanges globally. As of March 27, 2024, Forbes estimates his wealth at $33 billion.
Brian Armstrong, the CEO and co-founder of Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, boasts a net worth of $11.6 billion as of March 2024. Prior to co-founding Coinbase in 2012 with Fred Ehrsam, Armstrong worked as a software engineer at Airbnb. Coinbase reached a market capitalization of $100 billion in 2021 after going public on Nasdaq. Currently, Armstrong owns approximately 19% of Coinbase’s shares, contributing to his substantial wealth.
Chris Larsen, with a current net worth of $3.2 billion, co-founded Ripple Labs in 2012 with the aim of enabling international payments for banks using blockchain technology. Although Larsen stepped down as Ripple CEO in December 2016, he continues to serve as executive chairman. Ripple’s XRP cryptocurrency quickly gained popularity and became one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Additionally, research suggests that XRP has the potential to make investors wealthy.
Barry Silbert, the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group (DCG), possesses a net worth of $3.2 billion. DCG, which has invested in over 200 crypto startups, has emerged as a major player in the cryptocurrency trading industry. Silbert began his career in finance at the investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey, focusing on distressed debt. In 2015, he rebranded SecondMarket as Digital Currency Group, expanding its focus to include not only Bitcoin but also other cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies. DCG’s diverse portfolio of investments and subsidiary companies, including Grayscale Investments, Genesis, and CoinDesk, has solidified its position in the market.
Devin Finzer, the co-founder of OpenSea, one of the largest marketplaces for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), currently holds a net worth of $2.2 billion. OpenSea gained prominence with the surge of NFTs, which are unique digital assets verified by blockchain technology. In 2021, the marketplace garnered significant attention as NFTs entered the mainstream, attracting high-profile buyers and sellers. OpenSea has reported billions of dollars in transaction volume on its platform, earning a small commission on each sale. As a result, Finzer has amassed significant wealth through his role as co-founder of OpenSea.
In conclusion, the world of cryptocurrencies has fostered the rise of crypto billionaires and millionaires, with founders of prominent crypto companies leading the way. Changpeng Zhao, Brian Armstrong, Chris Larsen, Barry Silbert, and Devin Finzer represent a few of the wealthiest crypto founders in 2024. As the crypto market continues to evolve, it is likely that new faces will emerge and fortunes will be made.