Despite a bearish outlook for cryptocurrency valuations in 2019, blockchain projects and crypto influencers continued to make significant progress and express optimism about the technology’s future. While blockchain fundraising saw a notable decline—dropping from $15 million in Q1 2018 to just $3 million in the same period in 2019—the industry shifted focus from capital raising to driving mass adoption and integrating blockchain into existing enterprise systems.
This strategic pivot is reflected in the work of the year’s most influential figures, who represent a diverse mix of technologists, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Their global presence underscores growing momentum toward mainstream blockchain adoption, setting the stage for an exciting 2020.
Crypto research firm CryptoWeekly recently released its list of the top 100 influencers in the cryptocurrency space. Below are the top 10 individuals who made the most significant impact on the industry in 2019.
1. Changpeng Zhao (CZ)
Changpeng Zhao, widely known as "CZ," is the founder and CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. In 2019, Binance remained at the forefront of industry innovation, launching an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) platform that revitalized market interest early in the year.
Beyond centralized trading, CZ spearheaded the development of Binance’s decentralized exchange (DEX), launched Binance US to comply with regulatory requirements, and expanded into derivatives with its futures trading platform. These moves solidified Binance’s position as a full-service crypto ecosystem.
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2. Jihan Wu
Jihan Wu is the CEO and co-founder of Bitmain, the world’s largest manufacturer of Bitcoin mining hardware. In October 2019, Bitmain announced plans to build what could become the world’s largest Bitcoin mining facility in Texas, signaling strong confidence in the long-term viability of proof-of-work mining.
Before founding Bitmain, Wu worked as a financial analyst at a securities firm and was an early angel investor in Kaomao, a Bitcoin mining startup. His technical and financial expertise has helped position Bitmain as a dominant force in the mining industry.
3. Jack Dorsey
Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter, has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin since its early days. In 2019, he took concrete steps toward mainstream adoption by expanding Square’s crypto capabilities through its Cash App, which simplified Bitcoin purchases for millions of users.
Dorsey also expressed a long-term vision for Bitcoin to become a global currency, particularly in regions like Africa where financial infrastructure is underdeveloped. His commitment to decentralization and open-source development continues to influence both the tech and crypto communities.
4. David Marcus
David Marcus leads Facebook’s Libra project (now rebranded as Diem), an ambitious initiative aimed at bringing cryptocurrency to Facebook’s billions of users worldwide. A former president of PayPal and board member at Coinbase since 2017, Marcus brings deep fintech experience to the role.
Despite regulatory scrutiny, Marcus has worked to position Libra as a compliant, stablecoin-based payment system that could revolutionize cross-border transactions and financial inclusion.
5. Brian Armstrong
Brian Armstrong is the co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the United States. Notably, Coinbase reportedly holds up to 966,000 Bitcoin in cold storage—the largest amount held by any exchange—highlighting its critical role in securing digital assets.
Prior to founding Coinbase, Armstrong worked as an enterprise risk management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Under his leadership, Coinbase has focused on regulatory compliance, user education, and expanding its institutional offerings.
6. Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin, affectionately known as "V God," is the co-founder of Ethereum, the leading smart contract platform. Ethereum enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and has maintained the second-largest market cap in crypto with its native token, ETH.
In 2019, Buterin was deeply involved in Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS), a move designed to improve scalability and energy efficiency. Before Ethereum, he co-founded Bitcoin Magazine, laying early groundwork for crypto journalism.
7. Brad Garlinghouse
Brad Garlinghouse serves as CEO of Ripple Labs, the company behind the XRP token and RippleNet payment protocol. In 2019, Ripple expanded its network to over 300 partners, including 115 banks worldwide.
The company’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) solution—powered by XRP—gained traction among major financial institutions like MoneyGram, Western Union, and American Express. ODL enables real-time cross-border payments without pre-funded accounts, reducing costs and settlement times.
8. Charlie Lee
Charlie Lee is the creator of Litecoin, often referred to as the "silver" to Bitcoin’s "gold." A former Google engineer and director of engineering at Coinbase, Lee left his corporate roles to focus full-time on advancing Litecoin’s ecosystem.
In 2019, he championed the integration of the MimbleWimble (MW) protocol to enhance Litecoin’s privacy and fungibility. To support development, Lee launched a crowdfunding campaign—demonstrating community-driven innovation in action.
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9. Kelly Loeffler
Kelly Loeffler is the CEO of Bakkt, a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Bakkt aims to bridge traditional finance and digital assets by offering regulated Bitcoin futures and custody solutions.
After launching physically settled Bitcoin futures in September 2019, Bakkt reported record-breaking trading volumes—including 5,671 contracts traded in a single day in November. Loeffler’s background in energy and finance has helped position Bakkt as a key player in institutional crypto adoption.
10. Roger Ver
Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor and one of the original five founders of the Bitcoin Foundation, has long advocated for cryptocurrency as a tool for financial freedom. However, believing Bitcoin had strayed from its original vision due to high fees and slow transaction speeds, Ver shifted his support to Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in 2017.
In 2019, he launched Exchange.Bitcoin.com—a platform dedicated to promoting BCH and other Bitcoin Cash-based tokens—further cementing his role as a polarizing but influential figure in the crypto space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who had the biggest impact on institutional crypto adoption in 2019?
A: Kelly Loeffler of Bakkt played a pivotal role by launching regulated Bitcoin futures that attracted institutional investors and set new trading volume records.
Q: Why is Vitalik Buterin considered so influential?
A: As Ethereum’s co-founder, Buterin enabled the creation of decentralized applications and smart contracts—technologies that power much of today’s DeFi and NFT ecosystems.
Q: What is Jack Dorsey’s vision for Bitcoin?
A: Dorsey envisions Bitcoin as a borderless, decentralized global currency that can empower underserved populations, especially in developing regions like Africa.
Q: How did Binance influence the market in 2019?
A: Through IEOs, futures trading, and its decentralized exchange launch, Binance drove innovation and liquidity across multiple sectors of the crypto market.
Q: Is David Marcus still involved with Libra/Diem?
A: Yes—though the project faced regulatory challenges, Marcus remained central to its development and strategic direction throughout 2019.
Q: What makes Charlie Lee’s MimbleWimble upgrade significant?
A: The MW protocol enhances transaction privacy and improves scalability—key features that could increase Litecoin’s utility and long-term relevance.
The year 2019 marked a turning point where influence in crypto shifted from pure speculation to real-world application. From enterprise integration to regulatory engagement and technological upgrades, these ten individuals shaped the trajectory of blockchain innovation.
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As the industry evolves, their contributions continue to lay the foundation for broader adoption—ushering in a new era of decentralized finance, digital ownership, and global financial inclusion.