Forbes published its 2025 World's Billionaire List on April 1, featuring 3,028 billionaires globally. Among them, 16 individuals from the cryptocurrency industry made the cut, collectively holding over $164 billion in net worth, with a median wealth of $6.8 billion.
Changpeng Zhao Leads Crypto Rich List
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao tops the crypto billionaire ranking with an estimated net worth of $63 billion. The 48-year-old entrepreneur once tweeted in 2023, “I quit my job, sold my house, and aped into bitcoin.” His fortune now far surpasses other crypto moguls.
Tether Mints Four Billionaires
Stablecoin issuer Tether produced four new billionaires. CFO Giancarlo Devasini ranks second among crypto billionaires with $22.4 billion, thanks to Tether’s record $13 billion profit last year. Former CEO JL van der Velde, current CEO Paolo Ardoino, and General Counsel Stuart Hoegner also made the list.
Exchange Founders Dominate
Crypto exchanges continue to generate massive wealth. Besides Binance, Coinbase co-founders Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam both made the list, as did Gemini’s twin brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Tron founder Justin Sun, with $8.5 billion, also derives part of his fortune from the exchange Poloniex (now Polo Digital Assets).
Investors and Entrepreneurs Cash In
The list also includes Ripple’s Chris Larsen, Stellar’s Jed McCaleb, venture capitalist Tim Draper, Mike Novogratz, Matthew Roszak, and MicroStrategy chairman Michael Saylor (net worth $7.4 billion). Saylor’s company Strategy holds 528,185 BTC worth ~$45 billion; he personally owned 17,732 BTC in 2020 and has said, “I continue to acquire more.”