The world of cryptocurrency is teeming with prominent personalities, from tech giants like Elon Musk and Vitalik Buterin to industry leaders like Changpeng Zhao and Barry Silbert.
Cryptocurrency has come a long way since it first emerged out of the shadows nearly a decade ago. However, with merchants now accepting crypto payments and countries like the USA, India, and more considering digital coins as movable safe assets.
As the crypto industry continues to evolve and expand, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the most influential personalities in the space.
Here are the top 10 crypto personalities you should be watching out for in 2023.
From pioneers who were instrumental in developing the blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies that we know today, to those who are pushing for greater adoption and innovation in the field.
Furthermore, these individuals represent a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise.
1. Elon Musk
The CEO of Tesla is considered the alpha crypto influencer. Furthermore, his influence has been growing exponentially over the past few years.
Before he found his one true love in Dogecoin, Musk preferred Bitcoin, even for official transactions and payments. His tweets have had a huge impact on the price movements of multiple cryptocurrencies.
2. Vitalik Buterin
He is the Founder of Ethereum, one of the topmost crypto assets in the world, and co-founder of Bitcoin Magazine. However, he has also been featured on numerous lists as one of the world’s youngest crypto billionaires.
All thanks to his innovative ideas and solutions that are being adopted
3. Changpeng Zhao
The driving force behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume. However, Changpeng Zhao is a highly accomplished professional in the blockchain space.
Prior to heading Binance, he held the role of Head of Development at Blockchain and Chief Technology Officer at OK Coin. His impressive background also includes developing trading software for Bloomberg and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
4. Michael Saylor
An influential figure in the cryptocurrency industry, Michael Saylor is the CEO of software firm MicroStrategy. They began acquiring Bitcoin in August 2020, which has since proven to be a major success story.
Adding to that Mr. Saylor is well known for his regular updates on what’s happening in the Bitcoin world.
5. Barry Silbert
Barry is a key figure in the crypto world, having founded and served as CEO of Digital Currency Group, the blockchain industry’s leading enterprise.
He has earned a number of prestigious awards. This award include Crain’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
Furthermore he has been included on Fortune Magazine’s renowned 40 Under 40 list.
In 2021, Silbert was at the forefront of pushing for increased institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. This was with numerous organizations now embracing this new asset class.
6. Sandeep Nailwal
This is an Indian entrepreneur who founded Polygon and ScopeWeaver, India’s largest professional services marketplace.
Above all, his work on decentralized application architecture based on blockchain technology has made him one of the most influential figures in crypto circles.
7. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
These, are American entrepreneurs and former competitive rowers, best known for founding the cryptocurrency exchange platform Gemini in 2014.
Achieving success almost immediately, today the platform boasts a daily trading volume of around $200 million.
8. Juan Benet
Juan is an innovator with a passion for blockchain technology, having founded Protocol Labs in 2014.
Furthermore, he has created two major projects; InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) – a peer-to-peer data-sharing protocol, and the Filecoin Project, which was built on IFPS and launched in 2017.
9. Brian Armstrong
The co-founder and CEO of Coinbase is one of the most prominent figures in the world of cryptocurrency.
Additionally, his impressive wealth is estimated to be a staggering $7 billion in 2022 – an immense fortune that has been built up by leading one of the most popular cryptocurrency trading platforms in the United States.
Prior to his success at Coinbase, Armstrong had already made a name for himself as the founder of UniversityTutor.com, as well as having worked at Airbnb, IBM, and Deloitte.
10. Kathleen Breitman
CEO of Dynamic Ledger Solutions and co-founder at Tezos is another noteworthy figure in the world of cryptocurrency. She is the creator of Emergents – an unreleased blockchain-based trading card game – and Tezos – a self-amending cryptographic ledger.
However, before coming to prominence with these groundbreaking projects, Breitman was Senior Strategy Associate at R3 CEV – a large financial consortium – as well as having worked.
Many joining cryptocurrency
Finally, an increasing number of people are also investing in cryptocurrencies as a form of financial security and stability, as the decentralized nature of these digital assets can offer a degree of protection against market fluctuations.
