The world of cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche digital experiment into a global financial revolution. In 2017, the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies surpassed $600 billion, signaling a turning point in how we perceive money, technology, and trust. Behind this transformation are visionaries, developers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who have shaped the blockchain landscape through innovation, advocacy, and technical mastery.
This list highlights 100 individuals driving the crypto movement forward. Selected from thousands of contributors worldwide, these figures represent diverse backgrounds—engineers, journalists, investors, and researchers—all united by their impact on decentralized technologies. From core protocol development to public education and financial integration, their work continues to influence the future of digital assets.
Below are the influential figures ranked from 76 to 100—each playing a crucial role in advancing blockchain adoption and shaping the ecosystem.
76. Peter Smith – Championing Accessible Crypto Wallets
Peter Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Blockchain.com, one of the most widely used software wallets in the world. With millions of users across the globe, Blockchain.com provides an intuitive platform for buying, storing, and managing cryptocurrencies.
Smith is frequently cited as a leading expert in digital finance, appearing in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fox Business, and Bloomberg. His efforts have helped demystify cryptocurrency for mainstream audiences, promoting financial inclusion through accessible technology.
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77. Oleg Andreev – Architect of Early Bitcoin Tools
Oleg Andreev is a protocol architect at a blockchain startup and a self-described cypherpunk historian. He has made significant technical contributions to the early Bitcoin ecosystem, including developing CoreBitcoin (a Bitcoin core wallet for iOS), the BTCRuby library, and contributing to the Mycelium iOS crypto wallet.
Beyond code, Oleg’s deep understanding of cryptographic principles and decentralized systems has influenced how developers think about privacy and security in blockchain applications. He also gained recognition for designing the video-sharing service on Russia’s VK social network.
78. Elaine Ou – Bridging Academia and Real-World Blockchain
Elaine Ou serves as a blockchain engineer at Global Financial Access, a fintech firm based in San Francisco. Before entering the industry, she was a lecturer in electrical and information engineering at the University of Sydney and holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
Her academic background gives her a unique perspective on scalable and secure blockchain implementations. Ou is known for her clear, insightful writing that translates complex technical concepts into practical business solutions—an essential bridge between theory and real-world deployment.
79. Ran Neu-Ner – Voice of Crypto in Africa
Based in Johannesburg, Ran Neu-Ner is the host of Cryptotrader, a popular cryptocurrency show on CNBC Africa. As founder of OnChain Capital, a Bitcoin investment firm, he brings institutional-level analysis to emerging markets.
Simultaneously serving as CEO of The Creative Counsel—one of South Africa’s largest marketing agencies—Ran combines financial expertise with strategic communication to promote crypto literacy across the continent. His multidisciplinary approach makes him a key figure in expanding blockchain awareness beyond Western economies.
80. Susanne Chishti – Empowering Fintech Innovation
As CEO of FINTECH Circle, Europe’s first angel network dedicated exclusively to fintech, Susanne Chishti has been instrumental in funding and mentoring blockchain startups. She founded the FINTECH Circle Institute, an online peer-to-peer learning platform, further democratizing access to financial technology education.
Chishti is also the author of The FINTECH Book, a globally bestselling guide that explores innovation in finance. Her work underscores the intersection of blockchain, investment, and education—three pillars critical to long-term industry growth.
81. Jonas Schnelli – Core Developer Behind Bitcoin’s Stability
Jonas Schnelli is a developer and maintainer of Bitcoin Core, the reference implementation of the Bitcoin protocol. He plays a vital role in ensuring the network's reliability, security, and scalability.
Additionally, he co-founded DigitalBitbox, a hardware wallet project aimed at improving user security. As author of libbtc—a foundational Bitcoin library—his contributions underpin many tools used by developers today. Interviews with publications like Bitcoin Magazine highlight his thoughtful approach to protocol evolution.
82. Pierre Rochard – Advocate for Sound Money Principles
Pierre Rochard works as a software engineer at Axial, but his influence extends far beyond coding. A respected voice in the crypto community, he previously served as an accountant at BitPay and Hudson River Trading.
He co-hosts the Noded podcast, where he discusses monetary policy, cryptography, and decentralized systems with industry leaders. Rochard is particularly known for advocating Bitcoin as "digital sound money," aligning technological development with economic theory.
83. Linda Xie – Building Trust in Decentralized Finance
Linda Xie is a co-founder of Scalar Capital, an investment fund focused on crypto assets. She also advises 0x, a decentralized exchange built on Ethereum.
With prior experience as a product manager at Coinbase and a financial analyst at AIG in New York, Linda brings both technical and financial expertise to DeFi innovation. Holding a bachelor’s degree in economics from UC San Diego, she is recognized for her ability to explain complex topics clearly—making her a trusted voice among developers and investors alike.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What criteria were used to rank these individuals?
A: Rankings are based on contributions to blockchain technology, influence within the community, media presence, innovation level, and long-term impact on cryptocurrency adoption.
Q: Why focus on people ranked 76–100?
A: Even those lower on the list have made foundational contributions—many are unsung heroes whose tools or ideas power today’s most popular platforms.
Q: Are these rankings still relevant today?
A: While originally compiled in 2018, many figures remain active and influential in 2025—especially core developers, educators, and ecosystem builders.
Q: How does someone become influential in crypto?
A: Influence comes from technical innovation (like building wallets or protocols), thought leadership (writing or speaking), or enabling broader access (through education or infrastructure).
Q: Is this list biased toward certain regions or projects?
A: The original list includes global contributors from North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. While Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate discussions, various blockchain applications are represented.
Q: Can new entrants rise quickly in influence?
A: Yes—crypto values meritocracy. Developers who solve real problems or create widely adopted tools can gain recognition rapidly.
84. Juan Benet – Visionary Behind IPFS and Filecoin
Juan Benet is the founder and CEO of Protocol Labs and the creator of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a decentralized protocol designed to make the web faster, safer, and more open. IPFS addresses limitations in traditional HTTP by enabling content-based addressing instead of location-based URLs.
He also launched Filecoin, a blockchain-based storage network incentivized by cryptocurrency. With a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford, Benet exemplifies how deep technical expertise can drive systemic change in data infrastructure.
85. Chris Larsen – Pioneer of Blockchain Payments
Chris Larsen is co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple, a company focused on solving cross-border payment inefficiencies using blockchain technology. Before Ripple, he led Prosper (a peer-to-peer lending platform) and E-LOAN (an online mortgage lender).
Now advising data science firm Distilled Analytics, Larsen remains committed to transforming legacy financial systems through transparent, efficient alternatives powered by distributed ledgers.
86. Stephen Pair – Advancing Merchant Adoption via BitPay
Stephen Pair co-founded and serves as CEO of BitPay, a leading provider of Bitcoin merchant services. Prior to launching BitPay, he worked as a senior R&D engineer at IBM and holds two patents related to stream analytics.
Widely recognized as a cryptography expert, Pair has played a key role in making it easier for businesses to accept digital currencies—helping bridge the gap between crypto users and everyday commerce.
👉 Learn how payment innovations are accelerating mainstream crypto adoption.
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