The Fortune magazine's exclusive ranking spotlights young visionaries revolutionizing finance and technology through blockchain, digital payments, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These pioneers are building the infrastructure for the fastest-growing industry worldwide.
Key Innovators Leading the Charge
1. Brian Armstrong
Coinbase Co-founder & CEO | Age: 35
Armstrong aims to transform Coinbase into the "Google of crypto." With over 20 million accounts, Coinbase surpassed Charles Schwab in user growth during Bitcoin's 2017 surge. The platform now aggressively invests in startups and holds pivotal financial licenses.
2. Vitalik Buterin
Ethereum Founder | Age: 24
Buterin’s Ethereum, valued at $48 billion, is the second-largest cryptocurrency platform. The SEC’s decision not to regulate Ethereum has paved the way for its next evolution.
3. Jihan Wu
Bitmain Co-founder | Age: 32
Wu dominates crypto mining hardware with Bitmain, recently valued at $12 billion. A proponent of Bitcoin Cash, he’s diversifying into AI chips and stablecoins.
4. Patrick & John Collison
Stripe Co-founders | Ages: 29 & 27
The Irish brothers built Stripe into a $9.2 billion payment giant, partnering with Amazon and Facebook.
5. Vlad Tenev & Baiju Bhatt
Robinhood Co-founders | Ages: 31 & 33
Their zero-fee trading app, now worth $5.6 billion, expanded into crypto and aims to become a full digital bank.
Emerging Leaders
- Rachel Mayer (Circle): Spearheaded Crypto Invest, a user-friendly crypto portfolio app.
- Arthur Hayes (BitMEX): His platform enabled 100x leverage on Bitcoin derivatives before mainstream exchanges.
- Elizabeth Stark (Lightning Labs): Solving Bitcoin’s scalability issues with Lightning Network.
- Rohan Gharegozlou (Axiom Zen): Created CryptoKitties, Ethereum’s first viral dApp.
FAQs
Q: What defines a "stablecoin"?
A: Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets (e.g., USD) to minimize volatility.
Q: How does Ethereum differ from Bitcoin?
A: Ethereum supports smart contracts and dApps, while Bitcoin focuses on decentralized currency.
Q: What was the largest ICO in history?
A: EOS raised $4 billion in 2018, the record-breaking ICO by Block.one.
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Note: This list reflects influential figures as of 2018. Age thresholds and industry dynamics may have shifted since publication.