Cryptocurrency is more than digital money. It has become a global industry worth trillions of dollars and a powerful force in finance and technology. Some individuals have shaped the way this industry grows, builds, and adapts to change.
While many people work behind the scenes, a few stand out because of the wealth they hold and the influence they have on markets, projects, and communities. In 2026, the top figures in crypto are those whose decisions and holdings still affect prices, policy, and innovation.
Below are the most influential people in crypto in 2026, ranked from least to most influential based on their estimated net worth, their companies, and their broader impact on the industry:
David Adubiina
7. Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin is one of the most respected figures in the crypto world. He co‑founded Ethereum, one of the largest and most important blockchains. Ethereum is where many smart contracts, decentralized apps (dApps), and new tokens are built. Buterin’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 billion, based on the value of his Ethereum holdings and contributions, especially as Ether prices climbed again in 2025 and 2026.
What makes Buterin highly influential is not just his wealth, but his philosophical and technical leadership. He has guided how Ethereum evolves, especially with upgrades like Ethereum 2.0 and the shift to proof‑of‑stake. He speaks often about decentralization, scaling, and what blockchain should mean for the world. For many developers and builders, Vitalik is not just a billionaire, but a voice of vision in crypto’s future.
6. Jed McCaleb
Jed McCaleb has been part of crypto for many years. He co‑founded Mt. Gox, one of the earliest Bitcoin exchanges, and was an early founder of Ripple. Later, he became a key developer and leader at Stellar, a blockchain focused on global payments. His estimated net worth is around $2.9 billion, much of it coming from early token allocations and project involvement.
McCaleb is influential because he helped build some of the core structural layers of crypto’s evolution. While he no longer runs Mt. Gox or Ripple, his long history with multiple protocols and his work steering Stellar make him a respected figure. He represents the generation of builders who were there at the beginning and still shape major platforms today.
5. Brian Armstrong
Brian Armstrong is the co‑founder and CEO of Coinbase, one of the largest and most regulated crypto exchanges in the world. His estimated net worth is between $9.6 billion and $12.8 billion thanks to his equity stake in Coinbase and the company’s success bridging traditional finance with crypto.
Armstrong’s influence comes from how Coinbase has helped millions of people around the world buy, sell, and understand cryptocurrencies. Because Coinbase operates in many countries and works with regulators, it has helped make crypto more accessible and safer for mainstream users. For many beginners, Coinbase is their first entry into crypto, which makes Armstrong one of the most visible and influential leaders in the space.
4. Michael Saylor
Michael Saylor is the executive chairman of a company called Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and one of the loudest advocates for Bitcoin. His personal net worth is around $10.1 billion, largely because he and his company hold large amounts of BTC.
Saylor has influenced the broader adoption of Bitcoin by pushing companies and institutions to hold BTC as a treasury asset. His public appearances, interviews, and educational talks have made him one of the most recognizable Bitcoin bull voices. While some critics argue about his aggressive stance, there is no question that his influence extends beyond price, he helped change how institutions think about Bitcoin as a store of value.
3. Chris Larsen
Chris Larsen co‑founded Ripple Labs, a company focused on cross‑border payments using its XRP token. His net worth is estimated to be around $11.9 billion based on his XRP holdings and equity in Ripple.
Larsen’s influence comes from Ripple’s mission to transform how international payments work. While some regulators challenged Ripple in past years, the company remained a major force in pushing blockchain into payment infrastructure. Larsen’s role as one of the early architects of this vision makes him one of the most powerful figures in crypto in 2026.
2. Giancarlo Devasini
Giancarlo Devasini is the chief financial officer and a founding force behind Tether (USDT), which is the most traded stablecoin in the world. His estimated net worth is around $22.4 billion, making him one of the richest people in crypto.
Stablecoins like USDT are central to global crypto liquidity because they allow traders to move value quickly without converting to fiat money. Devasini’s influence is less public than some others, but his role in stablecoin flows — which power a huge portion of daily trading - makes him one of the most important figures in the global market. In crypto, control of liquidity often equals influence on direction and capability, which puts Devasini near the top of this ranking.
1. Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
At the very top of crypto influence in 2026 is Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ. He is the founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Although he stepped down from his role as CEO in 2023, he still owns a significant portion of Binance and has major holdings in BNB, the exchange’s native token. His estimated net worth sits far above others, with some sources suggesting figures exceeding $60 billion–$80 billion depending on exchange equity and token value.
CZ’s influence comes from how Binance shaped crypto trading infrastructure globally. Binance reaches millions of users, supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies, and provides tools that move massive volumes every day. Even after facing legal scrutiny and regulatory challenges, CZ’s wealth and network — including vast holdings of BNB and control over exchange operations — kept him as the most powerful individual in the industry.
Whether shaping liquidity, token listings, or global adoption strategies, CZ remains the most influential person in crypto by net worth and impact.
Jemi Motesho
