Key Takeaways
- The Crypto billionaires list 2025 includes Donald Trump and Changpeng Zhao, who have built their fortunes through visionary projects, trading platforms, and strategic blockchain innovations.
- Donald Trump joined the ranks of crypto billionaires with $TRUMP, showcasing the intersection of fame, blockchain innovation, and wealth creation through digital assets.
- Changpeng Zhao and other billionaires leveraged platforms like Binance and Ethereum, driving mass adoption and creating value despite regulatory challenges and market volatility.
- The stories of crypto billionaires showcase blockchain’s power to redefine wealth creation, blending innovation and risk in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The hallowed crypto billionaires list just got a new member!
Donald Trump’s name is now etched into the annals of cryptocurrency history as a crypto billionaire. Known for his real estate empire and as the US president, Trump’s foray into the blockchain industry, including his NFT collections through his much-discussed token, $TRUMP, has joined the ranks of the wealthiest figures in crypto. Trump’s inclusion highlights the unprecedented wealth creation enabled by digital assets and further underscores the dominance of this new financial frontier.
In 2025, the crypto billionaire list showcases individuals whose fortunes are almost entirely from the rise of cryptocurrencies. Giants like Giancarlo Devasini, Brian Armstrong, and Michael Saylor have cemented their positions, while fresh entrants like Trump remind us of crypto’s unpredictable evolution. But just how many crypto billionaires are there today? Well, probably more than the 13 we’ll discuss….but they’re a good place to start.
Let’s explore the prominent figures in the crypto billionaires list, their wealth, and the crypto assets that propelled them to the top.
The Crypto Billionaire List of 2025
| Name | Net Worth (USD) | Crypto Asset (Ticker) |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | $6 billion | $TRUMP |
| Changpeng “CZ” Zhao | $65.2 billion | Binance Coin (BNB) |
| Giancarlo Devasini | $22.4 billion | Bitcoin (BTC) |
| Brian Armstrong | $12.7 billion | Ethereum (ETH) |
| Jean-Louis van der Velde | $9.5 billion | Bitcoin (BTC) |
| Paolo Ardoino | $9.5 billion | Tether (USDT) |
| Michael Saylor | $9.4 billion | Bitcoin (BTC) |
| Justin Sun | $8.5 billion | TRON (TRX) |
| Chris Larsen | $7.5 billion | XRP (Ripple) |
| Stuart Hoegner | $6.2 billion | Tether (USDT) |
| Winklevoss Twins | $3.7 billion | Bitcoin (BTC) |
| Fred Ehrsam | $3.4 billion | Ethereum (ETH) |
| Matthew Roszak | $2.5 billion | Bitcoin (BTC) |
Donald Trump – $6 Billion – $TRUMP
The newest entrant to the crypto billionaire list, Donald Trump, has leveraged his brand power to create wealth through digital assets. He began with the launch of NFT collections that featured iconic moments from his career, generating significant revenue. These collections were followed by the creation of $TRUMP, a cryptocurrency associated with his business ventures.
Although the long-term success of these projects remains uncertain, the initial success of $TRUMP has propelled the US President into the upper echelons of crypto wealth.
His ventures have generated admiration for their creativity and criticism for perceived opportunism, highlighting the intersection of fame and blockchain innovation.
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao – $65.2 Billion – Binance Coin (BNB)
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder and CEO of Binance, built a $65.2 billion fortune primarily through Binance Coin (BNB). With a background in blockchain development, CZ launched Binance in 2017. The exchange quickly rose to become the world’s largest, handling a massive trading volume. CZ’s leadership drove Binance to offer innovative features like DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces, further propelling its growth.
However, CZ’s leadership has also faced regulatory scrutiny worldwide due to concerns about compliance. Despite these challenges, CZ’s strong connections within the crypto industry and Binance’s ability to adapt have cemented his position as a key figure in the blockchain revolution and the crypto billionaire list.
Giancarlo Devasini – $22.4 Billion – Bitcoin (BTC)
Tether’s co-founder and CFO, Giancarlo Devasini, has built a $12 billion fortune, largely through his involvement with Bitcoin and Tether, the most widely used stablecoin in the crypto market.
Devasini, a former plastic surgeon, successfully transitioned to tech entrepreneurship in the cryptocurrency space. Under his financial stewardship, Tether has become an integral component of cryptocurrency trading, facilitating over 70% of global transactions.
Despite this success, Tether has faced persistent scrutiny over its reserves and regulatory transparency, raising questions about its long-term stability. Nevertheless, Devasini’s strategic decisions and Tether’s market dominance have solidified his legacy as one of the most influential figures in cryptocurrency.
Brian Armstrong – $12.7 Billion – Ethereum (ETH)
Brian Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, has a net worth of $12.7 billion, primarily derived from Ethereum. Coinbase, the largest publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange in the US, has become a leading platform for individual and institutional investors. Armstrong’s leadership has significantly contributed to Coinbase’s reputation as a reliable and trusted exchange.
As Ethereum staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) have grown in popularity, Coinbase’s profitability has increased, further enhancing Armstrong’s wealth. In addition to his financial success, Armstrong actively advocates for responsible cryptocurrency regulations, encouraging collaboration between the blockchain industry and government regulators.
Jean-Louis van der Velde – $9.5 Billion – Bitcoin (BTC)
Jean-Louis van der Velde, CEO of Tether and Bitfinex, has accumulated an $11 billion fortune primarily through Bitcoin. Under his leadership, Tether has become the dominant stablecoin, facilitating a significant portion of global cryptocurrency trading. Van der Velde also oversees Bitfinex, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
Paolo Ardoino – $9.5 Billion – Tether (USDT)
Paolo Ardoino is the CTO of both Tether and Bitfinex, two influential companies in the cryptocurrency industry. Under Ardoino’s leadership, Tether has become the most widely used stablecoin, facilitating over $80 billion in daily trading volume as of 2025.
Ardoino’s technical expertise has ensured the stability, scalability, and security of the Tether platform, despite facing increased regulatory scrutiny. He has also strongly advocated for transparency in the stablecoin industry and addressed concerns about Tether’s reserves.
Michael Saylor – $9.4 Billion – Bitcoin (BTC)
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, is a Bitcoin maximalist who bet his company’s future on the cryptocurrency. Saylor’s decision to shift MicroStrategy’s business strategy to focus on Bitcoin investments has significantly contributed to his wealth.
Since 2020, MicroStrategy has acquired over 150,000 Bitcoin, making it one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin. Saylor promotes Bitcoin as a valuable asset and has encouraged other companies and governments to consider Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation.
His strong belief in Bitcoin has made him controversial, with some critics arguing that his approach is overly risky. His unwavering belief in Bitcoin’s supremacy continues to shape the narrative around institutional adoption, keeping him on the crypto billionaire list.
Justin Sun – $8.5 Billion – TRON (TRX)
Justin Sun, founder of TRON and owner of Poloniex, HTX, and BitTorrent, holds an $8.5 billion crypto fortune. A controversial figure, Sun entered crypto after discovering Bitcoin at UPenn, later launching TRON in 2017. Known for publicity stunts—like eating a $6.2M banana art piece—he’s also a major investor in Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial. Sun faced SEC scrutiny, but investigations were paused in 2025. Despite critics, his aggressive dealmaking, vast token holdings, and early bets on crypto infrastructure have earned him a place among the industry’s wealthiest and most polarizing figures.
Chris Larsen – $7.5 Billion – XRP (Ripple)
Chris Larsen, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Ripple, has amassed a $7.5 billion fortune, largely through XRP holdings and Ripple equity. A Silicon Valley veteran, Larsen launched Ripple in 2012 to make cross-border payments instant, low-cost, and bank-friendly. Ripple’s protocol was one of the earliest enterprise-facing blockchain technologies, with major financial institutions like Santander and American Express using its network.
Though Larsen stepped down as Ripple’s CEO in 2016, he remains its Executive Chairman and a major figure in both fintech and crypto. His philanthropic efforts include a $25 million donation (mostly in XRP) to his alma mater, San Francisco State University.
Despite regulatory battles between Ripple and the US SEC, Larsen’s early bet on XRP and blockchain infrastructure has firmly placed him among crypto’s elite.
Stuart Hoegner – $6.2 Billion – Tether (USDT)
Stuart Hoegner, general counsel for Tether and Bitfinex from 2014 to 2024, has amassed a $6.2 billion fortune through his estimated 13% stake in Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. A Canadian accountant and lawyer, Hoegner previously ran a boutique law firm for online gambling clients and held senior roles in gaming software firms. Under his legal guidance, Tether profited over $6 billion in 2023 from interest on collateral reserves. Despite regulatory scrutiny, Hoegner’s quiet influence and strategic oversight have helped shape one of crypto’s most profitable and controversial institutions.
The Winklevoss twins – $3.7 Billion – Bitcoin (BTC)
Cameron Winklevoss and his twin brother, Tyler, have accumulated a $3.7 billion fortune primarily through Bitcoin. Initially known for their legal dispute with Facebook, the Winklevoss twins shifted their focus to cryptocurrency in 2012. They co-founded Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange that prioritizes security and compliance, making it a trusted platform for both individual and institutional investors.
The Winklevoss twins were early investors in Bitcoin, acquiring a significant amount of Bitcoin when its price was below $10. Cameron is also involved in projects like Nifty Gateway, which has played a role in increasing the adoption of NFTs. Despite initial skepticism, their commitment to blockchain technology has established them as prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry.
Fred Ehrsam – $3.4 Billion – Ethereum (ETH)
Fred Ehrsam, a former Goldman Sachs trader, has amassed an $8 billion fortune through early investments in Ethereum and his co-founding of Coinbase. At Paradigm, a leading venture capital firm focused on Web3 and cryptocurrency projects, Ehrsam continues to play a significant role in shaping the industry’s future.
Paradigm’s investments in blockchain startups demonstrate Ehrsam’s strategic approach. Beyond financial success, Ehrsam is a strong advocate for DeFi and blockchain technology. He is committed to driving the widespread adoption of digital assets.
Matthew Roszak – $2.5 Billion – Bitcoin (BTC)
Matthew Roszak is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry. He is known for his early adoption of Bitcoin, his investments in it during its early stages, and his substantial fortune as a result.
As the co-founder of Bloq, a company that helps businesses use blockchain technology, Roszak has played a key role in bringing blockchain to the mainstream. In addition to Bloq, Roszak co-founded Tally Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in blockchain startups. Tally Capital has supported over 20 projects, including Binance and Kraken.
Roszak strongly advocates cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation and is widely recognized as a pioneer. Earlier in his career, Roszak faced legal challenges in the software industry, which he has overcome to become a respected leader in the crypto space.
Closing Thoughts
The rise of crypto billionaires reflects more than just financial success—it shows vision, timing, and sheer audacity. For example, Donald Trump’s launch of $TRUMP is a cultural statement, blending meme-driven hype with his polarizing persona. Changpeng Zhao’s relentless drive to make Binance the world’s largest exchange speaks to his deep understanding of blockchain’s potential and the grit to overcome regulatory headwinds.
These pioneers, whether through Bitcoin’s resilience or Ethereum’s innovation, are rewriting the rules of wealth creation. Yet, their journeys remind us that the crypto world is as unpredictable as it is thrilling—an arena where fortunes rise and reputations are tested.
