The world of blockchain and cryptocurrency has seen explosive growth, driven by visionary leaders, groundbreaking innovations, and increasing institutional interest. From Facebook’s bold Libra initiative to China’s strategic embrace of blockchain technology, 2019 marked a pivotal year that set the stage for a transformative decade. As we look ahead to 2020 and beyond, the individuals shaping this space continue to redefine finance, technology, and digital trust.
This list highlights the top 20 most influential figures in blockchain, whose contributions span development, investment, policy, and advocacy. These pioneers are not only advancing decentralized systems but also driving mainstream adoption through innovation and leadership.
Core Blockchain Innovators
Vitalik Buterin – The Visionary Behind Ethereum
Widely recognized as one of the foremost programmers in the crypto space, Vitalik Buterin is the founder of Ethereum, a platform that revolutionized blockchain by introducing smart contracts. His work enabled developers worldwide to build decentralized applications (dApps), laying the foundation for DeFi, NFTs, and Web3. Even years after Ethereum’s launch, Buterin remains deeply involved in protocol upgrades and long-term scalability solutions like Ethereum 2.0.
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Joseph Lubin – Co-Creator of Ethereum and Founder of ConsenSys
As a co-founder of Ethereum, Joseph Lubin played a crucial role in bringing decentralized computing to life. He later founded ConsenSys, an ecosystem development studio that builds infrastructure, tools, and enterprise solutions for Ethereum. Under his leadership, ConsenSys has become a powerhouse in blockchain innovation, working with Fortune 500 companies and governments to integrate blockchain into real-world applications.
Charles Hoskinson – Architect of Cardano
A former early contributor to Ethereum, Charles Hoskinson went on to create Cardano, a third-generation blockchain platform focused on security, scalability, and peer-reviewed research. As CEO of IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), he champions a scientific approach to blockchain development—making Cardano one of the few projects built on formal verification methods.
Industry Leaders Driving Adoption
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) – CEO of Binance
As the founder and CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, Changpeng Zhao has been instrumental in expanding global access to digital assets. In 2019 alone, Binance launched its decentralized exchange (DEX), acquired several startups, expanded into regulated markets with localized exchanges, and supported government blockchain initiatives.
His aggressive expansion strategy and focus on user experience have cemented Binance as a dominant force in the industry.
Brian Armstrong – Co-Founder & CEO of Coinbase
Under Brian Armstrong’s leadership, Coinbase has grown into one of the most trusted gateways for retail and institutional investors entering the crypto economy. With a clear mission to increase economic freedom through digital currency, Coinbase has played a key role in legitimizing cryptocurrencies in traditional finance—especially after its successful NASDAQ listing.
Jihan Wu – Co-Founder of Bitmain
Jihan Wu leads Bitmain, the world’s leading manufacturer of Bitcoin mining hardware. In 2019, Bitmain announced plans to build the largest Bitcoin mining facility globally, reinforcing China’s dominant position in mining at the time. Despite internal leadership challenges, Wu’s influence on mining infrastructure remains significant.
Advocates and Early Pioneers
Roger Ver – “Bitcoin Jesus”
Known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver was one of the earliest investors in Bitcoin startups, including BitPay, Kraken, and Ripple. A passionate advocate for Bitcoin Cash (BCH) after the 2017 fork, Ver continues to promote it as peer-to-peer electronic cash. Through his ownership of Bitcoin.com and Blockchain.com (early stake), he helped onboard millions to cryptocurrency.
Andreas Antonopoulos – Leading Educator and Speaker
Andreas Antonopoulos is a renowned author, speaker, and educator who has demystified blockchain for global audiences. With best-selling books like Mastering Bitcoin and Mastering Ethereum, he empowers both developers and newcomers with deep technical knowledge presented in accessible ways.
His tireless advocacy emphasizes decentralization, privacy, and financial sovereignty.
Nick Szabo – Inventor of Smart Contracts
Long before Ethereum existed, Nick Szabo conceptualized smart contracts—self-executing agreements coded on blockchains. He also proposed Bit Gold, a direct precursor to Bitcoin. Though not confirmed as Satoshi Nakamoto, Szabo’s intellectual contributions form the backbone of modern blockchain systems.
Institutional Influence and Policy Shapers
David Marcus – Former Head of Facebook’s Libra Project
As head of the Libra Association (later Diem), David Marcus aimed to bring digital currency to Facebook’s billions of users. Though regulatory pushback paused the project, his vision highlighted how big tech could accelerate crypto adoption. Previously president of PayPal and board member at Coinbase, Marcus bridges traditional finance and decentralized innovation.
Kelly Loeffler – Former CEO of Bakkt
Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Kelly Loeffler served as CEO of Bakkt, a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Under her leadership, Bakkt launched physically settled Bitcoin futures—a major milestone for institutional acceptance. The platform reached $37 million in monthly volume within its first month, signaling growing confidence from Wall Street.
Mining, Trading & Infrastructure Builders
Adam Back – Inventor of Hashcash and CEO of Blockstream
Adam Back invented Hashcash, the proof-of-work system that Bitcoin adopted for securing its network. Today, he leads Blockstream, a company advancing Bitcoin through sidechains, satellite broadcasting, and liquid networks—enhancing privacy and scalability.
Arthur Hayes – Co-Founder of BitMEX
As co-founder and former CEO of BitMEX, Arthur Hayes helped pioneer high-leverage crypto derivatives trading. While legal issues later emerged, BitMEX’s early influence on futures markets cannot be understated—it opened new risk management tools for traders during volatile periods.
Entrepreneurs Expanding the Ecosystem
Winklevoss Twins – Founders of Gemini
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss founded Gemini, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange known for security and compliance. Through their venture firm Winklevoss Capital, they’ve invested in numerous blockchain startups, advocating for clear regulations and long-term value creation.
Fred Ehrsam – Co-Founder of Paradigm
A co-founder of Coinbase, Fred Ehrsam now leads Paradigm, a research-driven crypto investment firm. With a background in Goldman Sachs trading systems, he combines deep market understanding with technical expertise to back transformative protocols.
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Visionaries Bridging Communities
Li Xiaolai – Creator of Litecoin? No—Influential Investor and Author
While sometimes confused with Litecoin’s creator, Li Xiaolai is actually a prominent investor, educator, and early advocate in China’s blockchain scene. He authored influential books on Bitcoin investing and founded INBlockchain, one of Asia’s largest crypto funds.
Herbert Sim – “Bitcoin Man” and Founder of Crypto Chain University
Also known as the “Bitcoin Man,” Herbert Sim founded Crypto Chain University in 2010—the world’s first research repository dedicated to blockchain and cryptocurrency papers. An active angel investor in projects like Future1Exchange and Karuschain, Sim has also contributed to Forbes and The Huffington Post.
Sun Yuchen – Founder of TRON
Sun Yuchen (Justin Sun) leads TRON, a high-throughput blockchain focused on decentralized entertainment and content sharing. In 2019, he gained international attention by winning the Warren Buffett charity lunch auction—using the moment to promote blockchain adoption globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is considered the most influential person in blockchain?
A: While opinions vary, Vitalik Buterin and Satoshi Nakamoto (though anonymous) are often cited as the most influential due to their foundational roles in creating Ethereum and Bitcoin respectively.
Q: Is Changpeng Zhao still leading Binance?
A: Yes, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) remains actively involved in Binance’s strategic direction despite increased regulatory scrutiny on global exchanges.
Q: What makes someone influential in the blockchain space?
A: Influence can stem from technological innovation (e.g., Buterin), market impact (e.g., CZ), education (e.g., Antonopoulos), or policy shaping (e.g., Loeffler).
Q: Are any women on this list of top influencers?
A: While this particular list features mostly male leaders due to historical trends in tech entrepreneurship, women like Meltem Demirors, Catherine Coley, and Annie Liu are rising as powerful voices in blockchain today.
Q: How did Facebook’s Libra impact blockchain adoption?
A: Though Libra (Diem) never launched widely, it sparked global conversations about digital currencies among regulators, central banks, and corporations—accelerating CBDC research and fintech innovation.
Q: Can I invest based on what these influencers say?
A: While their insights are valuable, always conduct independent research before investing. Market conditions change rapidly in crypto.
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