- 16 crypto figures named on Forbes 2025 World’s Billionaires List
- Binance founder CZ tops crypto list with $62.9 billion estimated net worth
- List includes Coinbase, Gemini founders; 4 Tether execs; Saylor, Larsen, McCaleb
A total of 16 individuals tied primarily to the crypto market were named to Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires List. This shows the growing financial impact of the digital asset industry on global wealth creation.
Their combined estimated fortunes exceed $164 billion, with a median net worth among the group of $6.8 billion.
This development follows a major year for crypto markets in 2024 and early 2025. Key events included the US approval of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs, more public endorsements from political figures, and Bitcoin reaching over $100,000 for the first time before pulling back.
Who Are the Top Crypto Exchange Billionaires?
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder of the Binance exchange, holds the top spot among crypto billionaires listed by Forbes. His reported net worth is $62.9 billion. Zhao remains the wealthiest known figure whose fortune primarily originated from the crypto industry.
Other current or former exchange leaders also appear prominently on the list. These include Coinbase’s co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong (estimated net worth $9.2 billion) and fellow co-founder Fred Ehrsam.
Related: Changpeng Zhao (CZ) Burns Nearly $4 Million in Altcoins He Didn’t Ask For
Gemini exchange co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss also made the list. Justin Sun, founder of the Tron network and later owner of the Poloniex exchange, is listed with an estimated $8.5 billion fortune, though Forbes notes his wealth is primarily tied to Tron’s success.
How Many Tether Executives Made the List?
Tether, the issuer behind the world’s largest stablecoin (USDT), produced four billionaires on the 2025 list, reflecting its significant profitability.
Giancarlo Devasini, the firm’s chief financial officer and reportedly its largest individual shareholder, is ranked as the second-richest person overall in the crypto space by Forbes, with an estimated net worth of $22.4 billion. Tether reportedly generated substantial profits (sources cite $13 billion for the previous year) while operating with a lean team of around 100 employees globally.
Devasini is joined on the Forbes list by current Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, former CEO JL van der Velde, and current General Counsel Stuart Hoegner. Due to the company’s reported financial success, each now individually holds billionaire status according to Forbes’ estimates.
Which Other Founders and Investors Are Listed?
Other crypto billionaires listed include founders of major blockchain projects and prominent early-stage venture capitalists known for their tech investments.
Chris Larsen, closely associated with Ripple Labs, and Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Stellar (and previously involved with Ripple and Mt. Gox), both appear again on Forbes’ 2025 billionaires list. Tim Draper, known for very early venture investments in the technology and crypto sectors, also made the rankings this year.
Related: Crypto Billionaires in South Korea: Young Investors Hold $739 Million
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy, holds a reported personal net worth of $7.4 billion. Saylor’s company, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), famously owns over 528,185 BTC (worth ~$45 billion at recent prices). He has also previously confirmed personal holdings exceeding 17,732 BTC.
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