Top 100 Crypto Influencers in 2023
In Brief
If you're looking to identify the leading personalities in the cryptocurrency world, our list of the top 100 crypto influencers for 2023 offers a comprehensive overview of those at the forefront of the latest trends.
The cryptocurrency sphere experienced a transformative wave in 2023, characterized by spectacular innovations and groundbreaking discoveries. As new ideas continuously surface in this dynamic environment, the potential for expansion and reimagined possibilities seems boundless.
Over the past year, the cryptocurrency landscape has witnessed an exhilarating leap forward in innovation and technology. From the lively world of decentralized finance (DeFi) to the groundbreaking influence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the changes are rapid and impactful. The key events of 2023 not only signify major shifts but also herald a new chapter in the cryptocurrency domain.
Elon Musk is a trailblazer known for his groundbreaking work in industries ranging from electric vehicles with Tesla to space exploration via SpaceX, and even in the realm of brain-computer technologies with Neuralink, alongside his influence on social media through X. As Tesla's CEO and co-founder, he oversees all aspects of product design, engineering, and global manufacturing for the company’s electric vehicles, battery technologies, and solar solutions.
Vitalik Buterin, one of the minds behind Ethereum and its associated cryptocurrency Ether, was born in Russia in 1994 but grew up in Canada where he excelled academically. His journey into cryptocurrency began early on when he discovered Bitcoin back in 2011.
Changpeng Zhao, also known as 'CZ', is the mastermind behind Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, which offers a plethora of market solutions. Born in China in 1977, Zhao has made significant contributions to the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
An influential figure in the cryptocurrency world, Barry Silbert hails from Maryland and earned his degree in finance from Emory University's Goizueta Business School in 1998. Silbert initially pursued a career in investment banking before venturing into cryptocurrencies and successfully selling his stock trading platform, Second Market, to Nasdaq in 2015.
CryptoPunks is a prominent collection of non-fungible tokens on the Ethereum network, initiated in 2017 by Larva Labs co-founders Matt Hall and John Watkinson. Initially intended as an experimental project, CryptoPunks eventually became a driving force behind the widespread popularity of NFTs.
A passionate entrepreneur from Russia, Anton Bukov co-launched 1inch Network in 2019 after falling in love with blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.
Mark Cuban is a well-known entrepreneur, particularly famous for his role on the reality TV series Shark Tank, where he evaluates business pitches seeking investment. He also owns the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and the film production company 2929 Productions, adding to his diverse portfolio in the business world.
Anatoly Yakovenko, a pivotal figure in the Solana project, is a computer engineer from Russia. He played a significant role in drafting the Solana white paper and has had a fascination with computers since his childhood in the Soviet Union before eventually moving to the United States.
Alexandre Dreyfus is a skilled entrepreneur and tech enthusiast who operates within the entertainment and e-sports sectors.
Balaji S. Srinivasan is widely recognized as an angel investor and tech entrepreneur, and he has authored the bestselling book 'The Network State' featured in the Wall Street Journal.
Hayden Adams, the mastermind behind Uniswap, is a computer engineer based in New York. After graduating, he worked as an engineer at Siemens but found himself laid off within a year. His journey into cryptocurrency began in 2017 when he came across a Reddit post by Vitalik Buterin.
Dawn Song describes herself as a serial entrepreneur. Beyond being the co-founder and CEO of Oasis Labs, she is also a professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley, having spent over 15 years in academia. A graduate of Tsinghua University, she furthered her education with an M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and UC Berkeley, respectively.
Anthony Scaramucci, a political consultant with a notable business career, is perhaps best remembered for his brief tenure as White House Communications Director in July 2017. Raised in Port Washington, New York, by a humble Italian-American family, he embarked on his career journey at the young age of 11. After high school, he pursued a degree in economics at Tufts University and later obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Cathie Wood stands at the forefront of investment management as the founder and CEO of Ark Invest, which oversees several exchange-traded funds. Renowned throughout the financial community, she was honored as the top stock-picker of 2020 by Bloomberg's chief news editor, Matthew Winkler. She holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance from the University of Southern California.
Jeremy D. Allaire, a notable American technologist and entrepreneur, is the CEO and founder of Circle, a digital currency firm, and serves as the chairman of Brightcove's board.
David Sacks is a distinguished entrepreneur and investor, celebrated for founding Yammer, a pioneering social networking service designed for businesses.
Mark Zuckerberg catapulted into fame when he co-founded Facebook while attending Harvard University. Leaving school after two years to concentrate on growing the platform, he turned it into a social network with over two billion users, making him a billionaire multiple times over. The inception of Facebook was dramatized in the film 'The Social Network' released in 2010.
Cynthia Lummis is a passionate advocate for cryptocurrency within Congress, serving as a Republican senator from Wyoming.
Emilie Choi is a prominent figure in the crypto space, recognized for her extensive experience managing one of the largest crypto exchanges, Coinbase. She joined the company in early 2018 as Vice President of Business and Data, steadily climbing the ranks to her current role as President and COO. Based in San Jose, California, Choi has a background in economics from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
As the CEO of OpenSea, a leading platform for creating and trading non-fungible tokens, Devin Finzer has made significant strides in 2021. He co-founded the Ethereum-based platform in 2017 alongside Alex Atallah.
Recognized as one of the first investors in Bitcoin and other blockchain startups, Roger Ver has made numerous appearances in major media outlets like Forbes, WSJ, NY Times, CNN, and Fox News. He is also the founder of Bitcoin.com.
Kristin Smith is an American business leader and the founding executive director of the Blockchain Association, a Washington D.C.-based trade group committed to addressing blockchain and cryptocurrency issues.
Esteban Ordano, a software developer, collaborated with Ari Meilich to launch Decentraland before Meilich departed to start Big Time Studios in April 2020. Having previously served as Decentraland’s CTO, Ordano has recently transitioned into a consultative role as the platform shifts toward becoming a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), with Meilich still providing advice even after his resignation. Both Ordano and Meilich are software developers from Argentina with rich backgrounds in the cryptocurrency sector.
Sandeep Nailwal, a Delhi-based software engineer, joined Computer Sciences Corporation in 2010 and later became a consultant at Deloitte in 2014, where he was involved in management consulting and program management initiatives. He was also the Chief Technology and Supply Chain Officer for Welspun Group between 2015 and 2016.
Kain Warwick, an Australian entrepreneur, launched the stablecoin initiative Havven via an ICO in February 2018. The project later rebranded as Synthetix, quickly rising to prominence in the decentralized financial landscape. The Synthetix platform, built on Ethereum, has become an essential part of the decentralized finance ecosystem, dedicated to minting and creating synthetic assets.
As the Co-founder and CEO of Paxos, a regulated blockchain technology enterprise that facilitates the exchange, holding, and tokenization of assets within the cryptocurrency realm, Charles Cascarilla leads a company equipped with innovative software solutions. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is a certified financial analyst.
Kieran Warwick, one of the visionary co-founders behind the innovative open-world blockchain RPG Illuvium, also happens to be the brother of Kain Warwick, the brains behind Synthetix. Throughout his career, Kieran has showcased his entrepreneurial spirit, becoming Australia’s youngest franchisee for Harvey Norman and establishing The Burger Collective, a platform that promotes community-driven food reviews.
Jack Dorsey is a prominent figure in the tech world, best known as the American entrepreneur who co-founded Twitter and previously held the position of CEO of the platform.
Kris Marszalek is a notable Polish entrepreneur who holds the position of CEO at Crypto.com, a leading cryptocurrency and payment platform based out of Singapore.
An accomplished computer scientist from Italy, who serves as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is also the mastermind behind Algorand—a revolutionary blockchain network that utilizes a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.
Charles Hoskinson, an influential American entrepreneur, is celebrated for co-founding Input Output Global, Inc. which specializes in blockchain engineering. He is also one of the key figures behind the Cardano blockchain and has previously contributed to the inception of Ethereum.
As the Chairman of Virtu Financial, Inc. and a Co-Founder of Cornerstone Investment Capital, LLC, this individual has made his mark in the financial sector.
Michael Saylor, the founder of the analytics powerhouse MicroStrategy, led the company as its CEO until August 2022, when he transitioned to the chairman's position.
Andrew Bragg, a senator representing New South Wales, Australia, is affiliated with the Liberal party and is recognized for his progressive stance on cryptocurrency.
Cobie is a well-known persona within the cryptocurrency Twitter sphere, previously recognized under the name 'Crypto Cobain,' a title he adopted until rebranding in 2021.
CryptoBirb is a prominent figure in the digital currency space, known for his analytical insights as a market analyst and as the founder and CEO of The Birb Nest.
Polish entrepreneur Adrian Zduczyk is better known in the crypto realm as CryptoBirb, a brand he established that resonates within the community.
With an impressive 20-year background in programming, Andre Cronje is the talented developer behind Yearn.finance and Keep3rV1, contributing significantly to the DeFi sector, alongside projects like Cream v2 and Sushiswap. He also has experience as a lecturer after a rapid mastery of computer science.
Tom Emmer serves as a Congress representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, actively participating as a House Majority Whip and balancing roles as a husband, father, and Minnesota's hockey enthusiast.
Anthony Pompliano has carved a niche for himself as a co-founder and partner at Morgan Creek Digital, making waves in the cryptocurrency investment landscape.
Arianna Simpson has made her mark in the tech industry, currently serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. She boasts a dual degree in Spanish and international politics from Pennsylvania State University and began her tech journey working in global marketing at Facebook in 2013.
Son of Russian immigrants, Sergey Nazarov is not only the co-founder of Chainlink but also a figure of intrigue among crypto enthusiasts who speculate about his potential identity as Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin.
Tyler Winklevoss is the co-founder and current CEO of Gemini, a digital currency exchange platform where users can engage in buying, selling, and securing various digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Matthew Roszak is a billionaire venture capitalist and cryptocurrency investor who co-founded and chairs Bloq, a blockchain consulting firm focused on helping financial institutions adapt to digital assets.
Kathleen Breitman is a key figure in the creation of Tezos, backed by her extensive experience in finance. Together with her husband Arthur, she co-founded the Tezos Foundation two years after the initial white paper was released in 2014. With a degree in financial mathematics from NYU, she also leads Dynamic Ledger Solutions, the technology company responsible for developing Tezos.
Mark Yusko is a well-known American financier who founded and serves as the Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Creek Capital Management. Yusko has been an advocate for Bitcoin and holds degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Erik Voorhees, a notable entrepreneur and the driving force behind ShapeShift, possesses a rich background that includes a mix of American and Panamanian heritage. He previously held marketing director duties at BitInstant, co-founded Coinapult to send bitcoins via SMS and email, and was a pioneer in Bitcoin gaming with Satoshi Dice before its sale in 2013.
In 2018, Pat Duffy and Alex Wilson established The Giving Block, a platform designed to facilitate cryptocurrency donations for nonprofits seeking to fundraise for various charitable initiatives. After realizing the tax advantages of donating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin during the market's peak in late 2017, they leveraged this insight to promote tax-exempt charitable giving.
Meltem Demirors, the Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, boasts over a decade of experience in the digital asset investment arena, all the while hailing from New York. She leads an investment firm that oversees $4 billion in digital assets and has solidified her status as an expert in the cryptocurrency world.
Robert Leshner is recognized as the founder and CEO of Compound Labs, a pivotal entity in the decentralized finance arena.
Jack Dorsey, a prominent American figure in the tech world, is recognized for his role as a co-founder and the previous CEO of Twitter.
An esteemed computer scientist from Italy, who contributes to academia at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is also lauded as the creative mind behind Algorand, a blockchain protocol that operates on a proof-of-stake mechanism.
Bob Greifeld once held the significant position of Chairman at Nasdaq.
The leadership of Virtu Financial, Inc. is undertaken by a chairman who also co-founded Cornerstone Investment Capital, LLC, demonstrating a commitment to innovative investment solutions.
Michael Saylor, the founder behind MicroStrategy, held the role of CEO up until early August 2022, at which point he transitioned to the chairman position.
Australian Liberal senator Andrew Bragg represents New South Wales and is a strong advocate for the cryptocurrency sector.
When two ambitious writers crossed paths at a nightclub in Miami, they likely never envisioned that their collaboration would lead to the creation of a wildly successful NFT collection valued in billions. Released in 2021, this collection features 10,000 unique and quirky cartoon ape artworks, heavily influenced by the punk and hip-hop cultures of the late 20th century.
Cobie has become a notable figure within the cryptocurrency realm, active on Twitter where he was previously known as 'Crypto Cobain' before rebranding in 2021.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Adrian Zduczyk is known in the crypto community as CryptoBirb, a name he created, and he proudly embraces his Polish heritage.
With over two decades of experience under his belt, Andre Cronje has made a name for himself as a distinguished programmer, recognized for creating key DeFi platforms like Yearn.finance and Keep3rV1. His impact extends to other significant projects such as Cream v2 and Sushiswap. His journey in programming began early, culminating in a role as an educator at the Computer Training Institute Education Group.
A congressman representing Minnesota's 6th District, Tom Emmer serves as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, balancing his roles as a family man, sports enthusiast, and House Majority Whip.
Arianna Simpson stands as an influential entrepreneur and a general partner at the renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Joe DiPasquale is at the forefront of BitBull Capital, an organization that manages bitcoin hedge funds, and he is also a co-founder of StartOut, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to become future leaders.
Joseph Lubin grew up in Toronto before making his way to Princeton University. His career kicked off as a software engineer before establishing himself in the finance world, where he notably served as the vice president of technology in private wealth management at Goldman Sachs before launching his own hedge fund.
Jordan Kruger serves as both the CEO and Co-Founder of Vesper Finance and holds several significant roles, including Head of DeFi at Bloq and Research Fellow at the Chamber of Digital Commerce.
Tyler Winklevoss is a co-founder and the leading figure behind Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange where users can buy, sell, and securely store their digital assets like Bitcoin and Ether.
Jed McCaleb, an American programmer and philanthropist, is recognized as the co-founder of Stellar Development Foundation and also leads the aerospace startup Vast.
Damien Hirst, with an estimated fortune of $384 million, currently stands as the richest living visual artist in the UK. Rising to prominence in the 1990s, he was hailed as a pioneer in the British art movement by the country's heritage secretary.
Gavin Wood, a computer scientist and one of Ethereum's co-founders, played a significant role in building the Ethereum network back in 2014. He later launched Ethcore in 2016 to develop custom software for Ethereum clients and remains a key figure at Parity Technologies.
Previously called Tendermint, Ignite is a company specializing in blockchain technology, led by CEO Peng Zhong. It is notably associated with the Cosmos network, which utilizes its proprietary coin, ATOM. Zhong joined Ignite in 2015 and is credited with creating Voyager, the first Cosmos cryptocurrency wallet, which has since been rebranded to Lunie.
Michael Novogratz has made a name for himself as a billionaire founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, having been an integral part of the cryptocurrency investment world since at least 2013.
Michael Sapir, a dynamic entrepreneur from Maryland, co-founded ProShares, a firm that made headlines by introducing the first Bitcoin-linked ETF in the U.S. in October 2021. With degrees in both business administration and law from the University of Miami and Georgetown University respectively, he has a strong educational foundation complementing his professional endeavors.
Robert Leshner is the founder and CEO of Compound Labs, a company making significant strides in the decentralized finance sector.
Jack Dorsey is a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial realm as the co-founder and former CEO of the renowned social media platform Twitter.
Gavin Wood, an accomplished computer scientist and professor at MIT, is not only known for his academic contributions but also for founding Algorand, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency protocol that leverages proof-of-stake technology.
Bob Greifeld once held the prestigious position of Chairman at Nasdaq, showcasing his leadership in financial markets.
Formerly serving as the Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy, Michael J. Saylor has been instrumental in steering the company through pivotal advancements.
Known professionally as Beeple, Mike Winkelmann has created a diverse array of digital artworks, ranging from intricate graphics and engaging short videos to innovative virtual and augmented reality projects.
In a surprising turn of events in 2019, Andrew Bragg was elected as a senator representing New South Wales, where he has emerged as a leading advocate for cryptocurrency within the Liberal Party, often viewed as one of its more forward-thinking members.
In the crypto Twitter sphere, Cobie has made a name for himself as an enigmatic personality. Formerly operating under the moniker 'Crypto Cobain,' he rebranded in 2021, yet still captivates the community.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Adrian Zduczyk is the creative force behind the 'Crypto Birb' brand and has become a beloved figure in the cryptocurrency space, known affectionately as CryptoBirb.
A seasoned software developer, Andre Cronje has garnered respect for his work on Yearn.finance and Keep3rV1, as well as contributing significantly to notable DeFi platforms like Cream v2 and Sushiswap. He boasts over two decades of coding experience and once taught as a lecturer after completing a three-year computer science program in just five months.
Tom Emmer is a dedicated member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as the House Majority Whip and representing Minnesota's 6th District, while also enjoying life as a husband, father, and hockey enthusiast.
Arianna Simpson is an influential entrepreneur currently serving as a general partner at the venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz.
Joe DiPasquale is at the forefront of BitBull Capital as its CEO, an entity that specializes in overseeing bitcoin hedge funds. Additionally, he is a co-founder of StartOut, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and nurturing future leaders in business.
Joseph Lubin, a pioneering figure in the cryptocurrency landscape, co-founded Ethereum and is the founder of ConsenSys, where he also serves as chairman of ConsenSys Mesh.
Sergey Nazarov is recognized as the co-founder of Chainlink and comes from a family of Russian immigrants. Some speculate he might even be linked to the elusive identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the legendary creator of Bitcoin.
Tyler Winklevoss made a significant mark in the cryptocurrency space as the co-founder and CEO of Gemini, a platform enabling users to buy, sell, and securely store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Billionaire investor Matthew Roszak is recognized for his strategic ventures in cryptocurrency and serves as co-founder and chairman of Bloq, a blockchain consulting firm that guides projects for banks in managing digital assets.
Kathleen Breitman played a key role in founding Tezos, bringing her substantial experience from the financial sector to the project. In partnership with her husband Arthur Breitman, they launched Tezos two years after the initial white paper was released in 2014. With a degree in financial mathematics from NYU, Kathleen also holds the title of CEO at Dynamic Ledger Solutions, the entity responsible for developing the Tezos platform.
Mark Yusko is a prominent figure in the investment world, recognized as the founder, chief investment officer, and managing director of Morgan Creek Capital Management. After growing up with studies in biology and chemistry at the University of Notre Dame, he earned his MBA with a focus on accounting and finance from the University of Chicago.
Meltem Demirors, hailing from New York, possesses over a decade of experience in the fintech landscape, especially in digital asset investments. Currently, she holds the position of chief strategy officer at CoinShares, a firm that manages $4 billion in digital assets and is well-respected in the crypto industry.
Robert Leshner is a dynamic entrepreneur residing in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco. In 2017, he took a pivotal step in the world of decentralized finance by co-founding Compound, a groundbreaking protocol tailored for Ethereum money markets. With a solid background in financial analysis, having earned the prestigious chartered financial analyst designation alongside an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Leshner brings a wealth of knowledge to the DeFi space.
Sebastien Borget proudly identifies himself as a father and entrepreneur, sporting over a decade in mobile games alongside fourteen years of engaged startup creation. His advocacy for non-fungible tokens in the gaming industry is fueled by a strong passion for blockchain technology and a commitment to education in this innovative field.
3LAU, renowned DJ and the driving force behind the Blockchain Music Investment Company Royal, is reshaping the intersection of music and blockchain.
Beyond just his achievements in music as a successful DJ and producer, 3LAU is driven by a deeper mission: to uplift others and share his platform to create opportunities.
WhalePanda has made a name for himself in the cryptocurrency arena as a skilled trader and investor, known for his insightful commentary and market strategies.
Stani Kulechov stands at the forefront of decentralized finance as the visionary founder and CEO of Aave and ETHLend.
As Flow product manager at Dapper Labs and co-founder of CryptoKitties, Layne Lafrance brings her extensive experience to the forefront of innovative digital collectibles.
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Follow Follow Originating from Canada, Layne Lafrance spent her childhood in London before returning to Canada to pursue a degree in finance and entrepreneurship from the University of British Columbia. It was during this period that her passion for technology truly blossomed.
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Michael Egorov's background is steeped in science, having honed his skills and knowledge as a physicist through studies at the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.
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