Crypto Billionaires Who Transformed Exchanges, Stablecoins, and Blockchain Networks

Crypto has created enormous fortunes and transformed exchanges, stablecoins, blockchain networks, and corporate investing. The entrepreneurs and investors behind these developments have helped push digital assets into the global financial conversation.

Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, founded Binance in 2017 and turned it into one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. His fortune is closely tied to his ownership of Binance and BNB. Forbes listed him among the world's wealthiest people in 2026.

Brian Armstrong co-founded Coinbase in 2012 and serves as its CEO. The company became one of the most prominent regulated crypto platforms in the United States, with Armstrong's wealth largely connected to his Coinbase stake.