Crypto Rich List: Who Are the Richest Cryptocurrency, Blockchain Billionaires?

Key Takeaways

• Despite the 2022 bear market, some prominent crypto whales retained substantial wealth in 2023 and increased said wealth moving into 2024.
• FTX’s collapse led to Sam Bankman-Fried’s removal from the list of crypto billionaires.
• Notable crypto billionaires include Elon Musk, Brian Armstrong, and others.
• Fluctuations in net worth are common due to market volatility and legal issues in the crypto industry.

Amidst the challenging conditions of the bear market of 2022, prominent cryptocurrency whales still managed to retain their substantial wealth in 2023 as they transition into 2024.

With the collapse of FTX a significant loss of wealth in the crypto market has led to Sam Bankman-Fried’s removal from the list of crypto billionaires. The industry’s richest individuals include a diverse range of investors, notably figures like Elon Musk, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and the Chairman of Microstrategy Michael Saylor, among others.

Crypto And Blockchain Billionaires

Elon Musk | Entrepreneur | $230 Billion

Nationality: South African | DOB: 06/28/1971 | Residence: US | Twitter 

In 2024, Musk’s net worth was estimated to be $230 billion . Elon Musk’s wealth can be attributed to his leadership and involvement in several prominent companies, primarily Tesla and SpaceX, along with ventures like Neuralink and OpenAI. 

Elon Musk has confirmed that he owns Bitcoin personally. However, the exact quantity of Bitcoin he holds privately is not publicly disclosed. His company Tesla has Bitcoin holdings with a net value of $420 million equivalent to roughly 10 thousand Bitcoin. 

SpaceX, which is Elons rocket company, had logged Bitcoin holdings amounting to $373 million on its balance sheet throughout 2021 and 2022, and there are indications that some of this cryptocurrency has been sold in 2023, though the complete extent of the sell-off remains unverified.

Satoshi Nakamoto | Bitcoin Creator | $70-$30 Billion

Nationality: Unknown | DOB: Unknown | Residence: Unknown

As of 2024, it is estimated that Nakamoto’s net worth falls within the wide range of $70 to $30 billion, primarily attributed to the creation of Bitcoin, the revolutionary cryptocurrency that laid the foundation for the entire blockchain and digital currency ecosystem. 

Despite the immense impact of Bitcoin and Nakamoto’s innovative contributions, the true identity and holdings remain a mystery, adding to the intrigue and speculation surrounding this legendary figure in the world of cryptocurrencies.

Brian Armstrong | Coinbase CEO | $5.8 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 01/25/1983 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

As of 2024, Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, boasts an estimated net worth of $5.8 billion, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest figures in the cryptocurrency industry and one of the youngest tech billionaires. 

A significant portion of his wealth stems from his substantial ownership stake in Coinbase, where he holds approximately 19% of the company’s shares. 

Micree Zhan | Bitmain Co-Founder | $4.3 Billion

Nationality: Chinese | DOB: 03/27/1979 | Residence: China | Linkedin  | Twitter 

As of 2024, Micree Zhan’s estimated net worth is around $4.3 billion. He is a notable Chinese entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Bitmain, a prominent producer of cryptocurrency mining hardware. 

In the past, his net worth has seen fluctuations, with previous reports suggesting much higher figures. However, his 2024 estimated net worth stands at approximately $4.3 billion.

Barry Silbert | Digital Currency Group CEO | $3.2 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 1976 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Barry Silbert is the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group (DCG), a conglomerate of cryptocurrency-focused companies. Barry resigned as chairman of Grayscale Investments, effective January 1, amid legal challenges faced by his company, Digital Currency Group (DCG), which was sued by the New York Attorney General for allegedly defrauding investors of over $1 billion. DCG was involved in various entities, including digital asset manager Grayscale, CoinDesk, Foundry, Genesis Global Capital, and Luno. 

As of 2021, DCG managed assets worth $50 billion. Barry Silbert is known for his significant role in shaping the cryptocurrency industry. Barry’s Silberts estimated net worth is $3.2 billion.

Chris Larsen | Ripple Co-Founder | $2.9 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 11/30/1960 | Residence: US | Twitter 

Chris Larsen, a co-founder of Ripple and a key figure in the cryptocurrency world, has an estimated net worth, to be around $2.9 billion in 2024. Larsen is renowned for his role in co-founding Ripple in 2012. His wealth is closely tied to his significant ownership stake in the company.

Throughout his career, Chris Larsen has played a pivotal role in the development of Ripple and the cryptocurrency XRP. In the past, Forbes estimated his net worth to be as high as $59 billion in 2018, briefly placing him among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Tim Draper | Venture Capitalist | $2.5 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 06/11/1958 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Tim Draper is well-known for founding various venture capital and business-related entities, including Draper University, Draper Venture Network and Draper Associates. Tims primary source of wealth is associated with cryptocurrency investments. 

As of the most recent estimates in 2024, Tim Draper’s net worth stands at approximately $2.5 billion. He is a prominent figure in the global business world and is recognized for his contributions as a motivator and successful entrepreneur.

Jed McCaleb | Ripple & Stellar Co-Founder | $2.4 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 06/08/1975 | Residence: US | Twitter 

McCaleb is renowned for his significant contributions to the cryptocurrency world, having co-founded both Ripple and Stellar.

As of 2024, Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple and Stellar, boasts an estimated net worth that has fluctuated over the years. Forbes estimated his worth at $2.4 billion where he co-founded Ripple in 2012 and later Stellar in 2014. 

Devin Finzer & Alex Atallah | OpenSea Co-Founder | $2.2 Billion (Single Entity)

Nationality: Both American | DOB: 1990 (Devin Finzer) DOB: 1993 (Alex Atallah) | Residence: Both US | Linkedin (Devin Finzer) Linkedin  (Alex Attalah) | Twitter  (Devin Finzer) Twitter  (Alex Attalah)

Devin Finzer and Alex Atallah are both major figures in the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and are the co-founders of OpenSea, one of the leading online marketplaces for NFTs. OpenSea allows users to buy, sell, and trade digital collectibles, which have gained immense popularity in recent years.

Both Devin Finzer and Alex Atallah were estimated to be billionaires, with Forbes reporting that their stakes in OpenSea were worth approximately $2.2 billion each in January 2022. This made them among the first NFT billionaires.

Fred Ehrsam | Coinbase Co-Founder | $1.8 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 05/10/1988 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Fred Ehrsam is a co-founder of Coinbase, a well-known cryptocurrency platform. He studied computer science and economics at Duke University. 

As of 2024, his estimated net worth ranges from $1.8 billion, largely attributed to his involvement in Coinbase and the cryptocurrency industry.

He later made headlines with a significant Bitcoin purchase, becoming a well-known Bitcoin maximalist and predicting substantial future price growth for the cryptocurrency. Today Microstrategy holds 158,245 Bitcoin. 

Nikil Viswanathan | Alchemy Co-Founder | $1.8 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 10/06/1987 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Nikil Viswanathan is estimated to have an approximate net worth of $1.8 billion. He is well-known as one of the co-founders of Alchemy, a blockchain development platform. Alchemy provides tools and infrastructure for developers to build and scale blockchain applications, which has become crucial in the rapidly growing blockchain and cryptocurrency industry.

Nikil Viswanathan’s substantial wealth is a testament to the success and significance of Alchemy in the blockchain space. 

Michael Saylor | MicroStrategy Executive Chairman | $1.6 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 02/04/1965 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Michael Saylor is an American billionaire businessman and the Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy, a prominent business intelligence company. As of 2024, Michael Saylor’s net worth is estimated at $1.6 billion.

He gained significant attention in the cryptocurrency world for being the first Wall Street executive of a publicly traded American company to add Bitcoin to his company’s balance sheet. MicroStrategy, under Saylor’s leadership, holds a substantial amount of Bitcoin.

Michael Saylor’s journey has been characterized by remarkable achievements. He co-founded MicroStrategy and took the company public in 1998, reaching great success during the Dot Com boom. 

The Winklevoss Twins | Gemini Co-Founder | $1.4 Billion (Single Entity)

Nationality: American | DOB: 08/21/1981 | Residence: US | Linkedin  (Cameron) Linkedin  (Tyler) | Twitter  (Cameron) Twitter  (Tyler)

The Winklevoss Twins, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, have an estimated combined net worth of approximately $2.8 billion. They are well-known for their roles as American Olympians, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. In 2012, they founded Winklevoss Capital Management, an investment firm that supports early-stage startups. In 2014, they launched Gemini, a digital currency exchange specializing in cryptocurrencies.

The twins are notable for their significant involvement in the world of Bitcoin. It’s estimated that together, they possess around 1% of all Bitcoin in existence, amounting to approximately 180,000 Bitcoins. Their journey as early Bitcoin investors began in 2013 when they spent $11 million of their own funds to acquire the cryptocurrency.

Matthew Roszak | Bloq Co-Founder | $1.4 Billion

Nationality: American | DOB: 02/11/1973 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Matthew Roszak is an American billionaire venture capitalist and cryptocurrency investor. He is notable for his role as the co-founder and chairman of Bloq, a blockchain startup company. 

As of 2024, his estimated net worth was approximately $1.4 billion. Roszak’s journey in the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain began in earnest in 2012.

Song Chi-hyung | Dunamu Co-Founder | $950 Million

Nationality: South Korean | DOB: 01/01/1979 | Residence: South Korea | Twitter 

Song Chi-hyung is a Korean billionaire and the founder and CEO of Dunamu, a cryptocurrency exchange company. Under his leadership, Dunamu has become one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange companies in South Korea.

As of 2024, Song Chi-hyung’s estimated net worth is around $950 million. His wealth is largely attributed to the success of Dunamu and its cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit. 

Song Chi-hyung is known for his contributions to the technology industry in Korea, and he is considered an inspiration to young entrepreneurs. He has been actively involved in mentoring tech start-ups in Korea and supporting the development of the tech ecosystem.

Vitalik Buterin | Ethereum Founder | $600 Million

Nationality: Russian-Canadian | DOB: 01/31/1994 | Residence: Singapore | Linkedin  | Twitter 

As of 2024, Vitalik Buterin’s estimated net worth is reported to be around $600 million. His wealth primarily stems from his substantial holdings of Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies, along with income from various professional engagements. 

He is one of the largest individual holders of Ethereum, with approximately 286,000 ETH in his possession.

Michael Novogratz | Galaxy Investment Partners CEO | $500 Million

Nationality: American | DOB: 11/26/1964 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

As of 2024, Michael Novogratz’s estimated net worth is reported to be around $600 million and is currently the CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners which focuses on investments in cryptocurrency. 

At the height of his cryptocurrency investments, his net worth reached a peak of $8.5 billion. However, this figure significantly decreased, primarily attributed to the dramatic collapse of LUNA cryptocurrency, in which he had made significant investments.

Charles Hoskinson | Ethereum & Cardano Co-Founder | $500 Million

Nationality: America | DOB: 11/05/1987 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

As of 2024, Charles Hoskinson’s estimated net worth is reported to be close to $500 million to $600 million. 

He is known for his significant contributions as a co-founder of both Ethereum and Cardano. These estimates place him among the affluent figures in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. 

Roger Ver | Bitcoin Investor | $465 Million

Nationality: American | DOB: 01/27/1979 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Roger Ver’s net worth has been estimated at around $465 million as of 2024. He is known for his early involvement in Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related projects, which allowed him to accumulate a substantial amount of wealth. 

It’s worth noting that the exact net worth can be challenging to pinpoint precisely due to fluctuations in cryptocurrency markets and investments. Roger Ver is often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy for Bitcoin.

Fallen Crypto Billionaires

Changpeng Zhao | Binance CEO | $15 Billion

Nationality: Canadian | DOB: 09/10/1977 | Residence: Dubai | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space. CZ’s substantial wealth is closely tied to his role as the CEO and founder of Binance, which stands as the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. 

CZ pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to his cryptocurrency exchange and is required to stay in the U.S. temporarily following a federal judge’s ruling. Zhao, who was released on a $175 million bond, faces a sentencing hearing on February 23 and is considered a flight risk due to residing in the UAE, a country without a formal extradition treaty with the U.S. 

As part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice, Zhao agreed to step down as CEO of Binance, which will continue operating under new compliance rules aligned with U.S. anti-money laundering standards.

Do Kwon | Terra-Luna Co-Founder | $100-50 Million

Nationality: South Korean | DOB: 09/06/1991 | Residence: Serbia | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Do Kwon, the founder of Terra-Luna, has seen a significant decline in his net worth since his arrest and the subsequent collapse of Terra. While the exact figures are not available, it is estimated that his net worth has plummeted from a billionaire status by a substantial amount to approximately $100 million.

Terra-Luna’s collapse wiped out approximately $60 billion from the cryptocurrency market. Do Kwon, who was once a prominent figure in the crypto industry, faced financial and securities fraud charges in multiple countries, including the United States, South Korea, and Singapore, for his role in the Terra-Luna collapse. This legal turmoil and the collapse of his cryptocurrency ecosystem led to a severe decline in his wealth.

Kwon, who had a successful career in the cryptocurrency industry before the collapse, has faced a challenging situation due to these legal issues and the loss of investor trust. However, specific details about the extent of his wealth loss are not readily available.

Sam Bankman-Fried | FTX Founder | $3 Million

Nationality: American | DOB: 03/06/1992 | Residence: US | Linkedin  | Twitter 

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has experienced a significant change in his net worth in recent years.

In 2022, Sam Bankman-Fried’s net worth was estimated at approximately $26 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the cryptocurrency industry. However, by 2024, his net worth took a significant hit to an estimated worth of $3 million after the FTX scandal. 

Bankman-Fried is facing legal issues, including fraud charges in January 2023, which likely contributed to the decline in his net worth and his exclusion from Forbes’ list of billionaires in 2023. While the exact extent of the loss is not specified, it is evident that his financial situation has changed significantly within a short period. The exact reasons for the decrease in his net worth and the legal implications are best detailed by referencing the sources provided.

Conclusion

In 2024, despite the challenges posed by the 2022 bear market, many influential figures in the cryptocurrency industry have managed to retain their substantial wealth in 2023 and increased wealth in 2024. Notably, some crypto billionaires, including Elon Musk, Satoshi, Brian Armstrong, and others, continue to hold prominent positions on the crypto rich list. 

Billionaire wealth primarily derives from their involvement in various cryptocurrency-related ventures, exchanges, and substantial holdings in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that fluctuations in net worth among crypto billionaires are common due to market volatility, legal issues, and investment decisions. 

FAQs

Who are the prominent billionaires in the cryptocurrency industry?

Elon Musk, Brian Armstrong, Chris Larsen, Jed McCaleb, Nikil Viswanathan, Winklevoss Twins, Matthew Roszak, Michael Saylor, Song Chi-hyung, Fred Ehrsam, Tim Draper, Devin Finzer, Alex Atallah, Barry Silbert, Michael Novogratz, Vitalik Buterin, Charles Hoskinson, Micree Zhan, and Roger Ver, among others.

What are the primary sources of wealth for crypto billionaires?

Their wealth primarily comes from founding or investing in cryptocurrency-related ventures, holding significant shares in exchanges, blockchain startups, and popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Why are there fluctuations in the net worth of crypto billionaires?

Fluctuations occur due to market volatility, legal issues, investment decisions, and changes in cryptocurrency prices and project values.

How is the net worth of crypto billionaires estimated?

Estimations are based on ownership stakes, investments, financial statements, and market valuations, considering publicly available information and cryptocurrency holdings.

Disclaimer

The net worth figures provided in this article are based on publicly available sources and estimates as of the specified date. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile, and net worth values can change rapidly. The information presented here may not reflect real-time data and should not be considered financial advice. Investments in cryptocurrencies are subject to risks, and individuals should conduct their own research and seek professional guidance before making any investment decisions.  

About the Author

Andrew Kamsky

Andrew Kamsky is a writer and chart analyst, holding a degree in Economics and an ACCA certification. Andrew’s professional background spans roles at a Big Four accountancy firm, a fintech bank, and a chart analyst position at a listed bank focusing on foreign currency hedging. Beyond his financial career, Andrew is passionate about music, glass neon lights and travel.

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