The world of cryptocurrency continues to shape global wealth, as highlighted by the Forbes 2024 Billionaires List, which revealed a significant surge in crypto-affiliated fortunes. This year, 17 individuals linked to blockchain and digital assets made the prestigious ranking — more than double the number from 2023 — with a combined net worth reaching an impressive $93 billion.
This remarkable growth reflects the resilience and maturation of the crypto economy, fueled by market recovery, institutional adoption, and strategic business expansions across exchanges, infrastructure, and investment firms.
CZ Tops Crypto Wealth Rankings for Third Consecutive Year
At the forefront of this financial evolution stands Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Forbes estimates CZ’s net worth at $33 billion** in 2024 — a dramatic increase from $10.5 billion the previous year — securing his position as the richest person in the crypto industry** for the third year running.
His jump in wealth is attributed to Binance’s sustained dominance in trading volume, expanding product suite, and improved financial health despite regulatory challenges. Globally, CZ ranks No. 50 among all billionaires, underscoring the growing influence of blockchain entrepreneurs on the world stage.
👉 Discover how top crypto leaders are shaping the future of finance and wealth creation.
MicroStrategy and Coinbase Executives See Largest Gains
Two of the most notable wealth surges came from executives whose fortunes are closely tied to Bitcoin’s 2024 price rally, which surpassed $70,000 amid spot Bitcoin ETF approvals and increased institutional demand.
Michael Saylor: Bitcoin’s Biggest Corporate Advocate
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, saw his personal fortune skyrocket from $760 million to $4.4 billion — a nearly sixfold increase. As the driving force behind MicroStrategy’s aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy (holding over 200,000 BTC), Saylor now ranks fourth among crypto billionaires.
His long-term "HODL" philosophy has paid off handsomely, reinforcing confidence in Bitcoin as a macro hedge and treasury reserve asset.
Brian Armstrong: Coinbase Leadership Fuels Surge
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong experienced one of the most dramatic personal wealth jumps, rising from $2.2 billion to $11.2 billion in just one year. His position places him second only to CZ in the crypto hierarchy.
The surge aligns with Coinbase’s strong performance following its role as a key issuer in the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF ecosystem and growing revenue from staking and institutional services.
Tether Founders Join Billionaire Ranks for First Time
A major highlight of this year’s list is the debut of four key figures from Tether, the issuer of the world’s most widely used stablecoin, USDT. Their inclusion marks growing recognition of stablecoins as foundational infrastructure in the digital economy.
The four new billionaires are:
- Giancarlo Devasini – $9.2 billion (Italy-based financial officer)
- Paolo Ardoino – $3.9 billion (CTO of Tether)
- Jean-Louis van der Velde – $3.9 billion (CEO of Tether)
- Stuart Hoegner – undisclosed but confirmed billionaire (General Counsel)
Tether’s consistent revenue generation — primarily from lending reserves against U.S. Treasuries and commercial paper — has quietly built immense value for its leadership team, now formally acknowledged by Forbes.
The Full 2024 Crypto Billionaire Rankings (Top 10)
Here are the top 10 wealthiest individuals in the crypto space according to Forbes’ 2024 assessment:
- Changpeng Zhao (CZ) – $33B | Binance
- Brian Armstrong – $11.2B | Coinbase
- Giancarlo Devasini – $9.2B | Tether
- Michael Saylor – $4.4B | MicroStrategy, Bitcoin
- Paolo Ardoino – $3.9B | Tether
- Jean-Louis van der Velde – $3.9B | Tether
- Chris Larsen – $3.2B | Ripple, XRP
- Fred Ehrsam – $3.2B | Coinbase, Paradigm
- Matthew Roszak – $3.1B | Bitcoin, Ethereum investor
- Jed McCaleb – $2.9B | XRP sales
These rankings reflect not only exchange founders but also early investors, protocol creators, and executives who have played pivotal roles in advancing blockchain technology.
👉 Learn how emerging crypto leaders are building the next generation of financial infrastructure.
Key Trends Behind the Surge in Crypto Wealth
Several macro and industry-specific factors contributed to this year’s explosive growth in crypto billionaire valuations:
- Bitcoin’s bull run: The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024 triggered massive inflows and renewed investor confidence.
- Maturation of crypto businesses: Exchanges like Binance and Coinbase have evolved into full-service financial platforms offering lending, staking, and institutional tools.
- Stablecoin scalability: Tether’s profitability demonstrates that digital dollar equivalents can generate real economic value.
- Institutional adoption: More traditional finance players are integrating crypto into portfolios, boosting legitimacy and valuations.
These dynamics signal that crypto is no longer a fringe movement but a core component of modern wealth creation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did CZ's net worth increase so dramatically in 2024?
CZ’s net worth rose due to Binance’s continued market leadership, improved financial transparency, and appreciation in the value of his equity stake amid broader market recovery.
How does Michael Saylor qualify as a crypto billionaire?
Though MicroStrategy is a public company, Saylor holds significant personal wealth through stock ownership and has become synonymous with corporate Bitcoin adoption — his net worth fluctuates with BTC prices.
Are all crypto billionaires based in the U.S.?
No. The list includes individuals from diverse regions including Malta (Tether executives), Canada (Matthew Roszak), and China-born CZ (now residing internationally).
Is Bitcoin still the main driver of crypto wealth?
Yes. Over half of the listed billionaires have fortunes directly tied to Bitcoin holdings or companies built around it, such as exchanges or mining firms.
What role do stablecoins play in generating billionaire-level wealth?
Stablecoins like USDT generate profits through reserve asset yields (e.g., U.S. Treasuries), creating consistent cash flow that increases company valuations and executive net worth.
Will more crypto founders appear on future Forbes lists?
Absolutely. With ongoing innovation in DeFi, NFTs, Layer 2 solutions, and tokenized assets, new wealth creators are emerging rapidly — expect future lists to include builders from decentralized protocols and Web3 platforms.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Crypto Fortunes
As blockchain technology becomes increasingly embedded in global finance, the number of crypto-linked billionaires is expected to grow steadily. Regulatory clarity, mainstream adoption, and technological breakthroughs will continue to unlock new opportunities for wealth generation.
Moreover, younger entrepreneurs entering fields like decentralized identity, AI-blockchain integration, and real-world asset tokenization may soon join the ranks of today’s elite.
👉 Explore how you can get started in the evolving world of digital assets and blockchain innovation.
Final Thoughts
The Forbes 2024 Billionaires List serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of cryptocurrency on global wealth distribution. From exchange pioneers like CZ to visionary investors like Michael Saylor, these individuals exemplify how innovation in digital finance can yield extraordinary results.
With 17 crypto billionaires now recognized — up from just 9 last year — and their collective net worth surpassing $93 billion, one thing is clear: the era of blockchain-powered wealth is just beginning.
Core keywords: Forbes 2024 billionaires, crypto billionaires list, Changpeng Zhao net worth, Michael Saylor Bitcoin holdings, Brian Armstrong Coinbase, Tether billionaires, Bitcoin price impact, cryptocurrency wealth growth.