Top 10 Crypto CEOs by Net Worth in 2025

Key Takeaways

• In 2025, crypto wealth is led by exchange founders and stablecoin creators such as CZ, Giancarlo Devasini and Brian Armstrong.

• Not every crypto billionaire is a CEO — figures like Vitalik Buterin prove that protocol builders can rival corporate moguls.

• A fresh wave of millionaires is emerging from culture, entertainment and Web3-native ventures like Stake.com.

• Leadership in crypto evolves rapidly; most of today’s power players weren’t even on the radar ten years ago.

Introduction

By mid-2025, the cryptocurrency market has returned to a powerful bull phase. Total market capitalization has soared to $3.8 trillion, representing more than a 130% increase year-over-year. This explosive growth has fueled a new era of financial giants within the sector.

At the center of this boom are the executives, founders and innovators shaping the industry’s infrastructure. From exchange operators and stablecoin pioneers to protocol architects and culture-driven entrepreneurs, these individuals represent the top 10 crypto CEOs (and leaders) in 2025.

This ranking is based on publicly available on-chain data, investor reports and major financial outlets.

List of 10 Richest Crypto CEOs in 2025

1. Changpeng Zhao (Binance) — Net Worth: $62.9 billion

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao remains the unrivaled titan of crypto wealth in 2025. Despite resigning as Binance CEO in late 2023 and serving a short sentence after a $4.3-billion settlement with regulators, CZ still controls roughly 90% of Binance, the largest exchange globally, along with substantial BNB token holdings.

His fortune, estimated at $62.9 billion (Bloomberg, Datawallet), places him at the very top of the crypto billionaire list. While his public visibility has diminished, his portfolio’s influence continues to steer DeFi and exchange ecosystems worldwide.

2. Giancarlo Devasini (Tether/Bitfinex) — Net Worth: $22.4 billion

As CFO of Bitfinex and a co-founder of Tether, Giancarlo Devasini is one of the most powerful yet low-profile figures in crypto. With a reported 47% stake in Tether, he commands a fortune of $22.4 billion, making him a cornerstone of global liquidity.

Operating mostly behind the scenes in Switzerland, Devasini is a strategic architect of USDt’s dominance, the most traded digital asset on the planet. His discreet style and vast influence over stablecoin flows position him as one of the most consequential financial actors in the industry.

3. Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) — Net Worth: $9.6–$12.8 billion

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, remains a highly visible and influential crypto leader. Owning around 14%–15% of Coinbase, Armstrong’s fortune is valued between $9.6 billion and $12.8 billion, depending on stock performance.

He has been pivotal in bridging the divide between traditional finance and blockchain ecosystems, making Coinbase a household name on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley. Armstrong’s long-term vision ensures his ongoing prominence in the crypto elite.

4. Michael Saylor (Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy) — Net Worth: $10.1 billion

Michael Saylor, now executive chairman of Strategy (rebranded from MicroStrategy), remains the loudest and most dedicated Bitcoin advocate. Personally, he holds 17,700 BTC, while Strategy itself owns over 628,000 BTC — worth around $72 billion as of mid-2025.

Saylor’s personal net worth is estimated at $10.1 billion, fueled by Strategy’s 700% stock surge in the past year. He has cemented his reputation as both a visionary executive and a philosophical leader among Bitcoin maximalists.

5. Chris Larsen (Ripple Labs) — Net Worth: $7–$8 billion

Ripple co-founder and executive chairman Chris Larsen has returned to prominence in 2025. After XRP’s price recovery and Ripple’s expansion into real-world asset tokenization, Larsen’s net worth climbed to $7–$8 billion.

With 2.6 billion XRP tokens and significant equity in Ripple Labs, Larsen remains an influential advocate for cross-border payments and crypto regulation. Though he stepped down as CEO in 2016, he continues to embody the “old guard” of crypto wealth.

6. Jed McCaleb (Stellar, ex-Ripple/Mt. Gox) — Net Worth: $2.9 billion

Jed McCaleb, one of crypto’s most impactful builders, has shaped the industry for over a decade. From co-founding Mt. Gox and Ripple to now serving as CTO of Stellar, his contributions are historic.

His current wealth, around $2.9 billion (as of April 2025), comes largely from early XRP allocations and Stellar equity. McCaleb also runs Vast, an aerospace company, proving that crypto visionaries are expanding into industries beyond finance.

7. Mike Novogratz (Galaxy Digital) — Net Worth: $2.7 billion

Ex-hedge fund manager turned crypto mogul Mike Novogratz leads Galaxy Digital, owning about 54% of the company. With Galaxy holding more than 17,000 BTC, his wealth remains at $2.7 billion in 2025 (Forbes estimates).

Novogratz is famous for his outspoken nature, institutional investment moves, and colorful crypto tattoos — including one for Bitcoin and one for Luna, a symbol of his risk-taking approach in volatile markets.

8. Barry Silbert (Digital Currency Group) — Net Worth: $3–$3.2 billion

Barry Silbert, founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG), oversees a portfolio that includes Grayscale, Genesis and CoinDesk. Despite facing setbacks like Genesis’ insolvency and regulatory scrutiny, his fortune still stands at $3–$3.2 billion.

Silbert’s early bets on Bitcoin, Ethereum and blockchain startups positioned him as one of crypto’s earliest institutional investors. Even under pressure, DCG remains a critical hub in the industry.

9. Bijan Tehrani (Stake.com) — Net Worth: $2.8 billion

Bijan Tehrani, co-founder of Stake.com, represents the cultural and entertainment side of crypto wealth. With a net worth of $2.8 billion (Forbes, May 2025), he has leveraged crypto-enabled gaming, gambling and streaming sponsorships to build one of the most influential Web3 platforms.

While not a protocol creator, Tehrani’s success highlights how crypto wealth is no longer confined to finance alone but has spread into lifestyle, media and entertainment.

10. Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum Foundation) — Net Worth: $1.025 billion

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, may not hold a CEO title, but he remains one of the most impactful figures in crypto. His known wallets contain around 278,000 ETH, valued at $1.025 billion (Nansen, 99Bitcoins, July 2025).

Though modest in financial ranking compared to exchange and stablecoin moguls, Buterin’s influence is unmatched. He continues to steer Ethereum’s evolution, most notably through the Fusaka upgrade and the rapid growth of layer-2 solutions.

Conclusion

By mid-2025, the wealthiest figures in crypto continue to be exchange founders, stablecoin architects and protocol leaders. Changpeng Zhao, Giancarlo Devasini and Brian Armstrong dominate the top tier, while others like Vitalik Buterin and Bijan Tehrani demonstrate the diversity of pathways to wealth in Web3.

One key lesson is that crypto leadership evolves quickly. Just a decade ago, most of these names were unknown. The next cycle may very well see today’s emerging founders becoming tomorrow’s billionaires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the richest person in crypto in 2025?

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, leads with an estimated net worth of $62.9 billion.

Which company holds the most Bitcoin in 2025?

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), led by Michael Saylor, owns over 628,000 BTC, valued at around $72 billion.

Are all top crypto billionaires CEOs?

No. For example, Vitalik Buterin of Ethereum is not a CEO but still commands a fortune of over $1 billion.

Who is the wealthiest stablecoin executive?

Giancarlo Devasini, co-founder of Tether, with an estimated $22.4 billion fortune, is the most powerful figure in stablecoins.

How is crypto wealth in 2025 different from a decade ago?

In 2015, few of today’s names were recognized. By 2025, crypto wealth has expanded beyond finance into culture, entertainment, and global regulation, making the industry more diverse than ever.