- Crypto billionaires now collectively own 164 billion dollars, with ex-Binance CEO Changpeng Zao leading the way with 63 billion.
- Tether’s record profit of 13 billion dollars in 2024 has created four billionaires, including CFO Giancarlo Devasini.
The crypto industry continues to churn out billionaires at a rapid pace, as Forbes‘ „World’s Billionaire List“ for 2025 shows This year, sixteen crypto moguls have secured a spot, amassing a combined fortune of over 164 billion dollars.
Changpeng Zhao of Binance tops the list with a fortune of 63 billion dollars. His rise in wealth underscores the growing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies, characterized by regulatory milestones and institutional interest.
Tether makes four billionaires
Among the biggest winners in the crypto space is Tether’s chief financial officer, Giancarlo Devasini, who is now the second richest man in the industry. Forbes estimates his net worth at 22.4 billion dollars, making him one of the most influential people in the stablecoin sector. Tether’s soaring profits, which reached a record 13 billion dollars last year, have made several of its executives billionaires.
JL van der Velde, the former CEO of Tether, as well as current CEO Paolo Ardoino and General Counsel Stuart Hoegner were also included in the list. Their inclusion on the list underscores the stablecoin issuer’s financial dominance despite its small workforce of around 100 employees. Tether’s role in facilitating liquidity in the crypto markets has led to its executives being among the richest players in the industry.
Founders of crypto exchanges dominate
Running a crypto exchange remains one of the most lucrative ventures in the industry. As reported by CNF, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao continues to top the list, while Coinbase co-founders Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam have also secured spots on the billionaire list. Coinbase remains the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, which contributes significantly to its wealth.
Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, known for their early Bitcoin investments, are also among the sixteen crypto billionaires. Justin Sun of Tron has amassed a fortune of 8.5 billion dollars, mainly through his blockchain project, although he is also the owner of Polo Digital Assets, formerly Poloniex. Although Sun did not found the exchange, his acquisition has further cemented his financial success.
Investors and entrepreneurs cash in
In addition to the exchange operators, other crypto entrepreneurs and investors have also increased their wealth. The co-founder of Ripple, Chris Larsen, and Jed McCaleb of Stellar have turned their blockchain companies into billion-dollar enterprises.
Venture capitalists such as Tim Draper, Mike Novogratz and Matthew Roszak have built significant wealth through strategic investments in digital assets and blockchain companies.
As CNF reported, Michael Saylor, chairman of Strategy, is one of the most recognizable figures in the industry. Forbes estimates his net worth at 7.4 billion dollars, which is mainly due to Bitcoin investments.
His company, formerly known as MicroStrategy, now owns 528,185 BTC, valued at around 45 billion dollars. Saylor, who personally owns 17,732 BTC to date, continues to hoard BTC, which shows his optimistic view of Bitcoin’s future.
The rise of these billionaires highlights the rapid evolution of cryptocurrencies from a niche industry to a financial powerhouse. As digital assets gain wider acceptance, the sector is set to produce even more wealthy individuals in the coming years.
