The growth of crypto and blockchain technology has created a new class of global wealth. Over the past decade, early adopters, exchange founders, and infrastructure builders have emerged as among the wealthiest individuals in the crypto industry.

In this article, we will have a look at the richest crypto billionaires in 2026, where their wealth comes from, and what their journey reveals about how value has been created in crypto so far.

Richest Crypto Billionaires In 2026 (Estimated)

Figures in U.S. dollars. Based on Forbes estimates via Yahoo.

Top 10 Richest Crypto Billionaires in 2026

#1 Changpeng Zhao (CZ) 

Estimated Net Worth: ~$82.8B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): Binance equity, BNB

Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, is the founder and former CEO of Binance. Despite stepping down from his role in 2023 following regulatory action, he is believed to retain a substantial ownership stake in Binance and significant BNB holdings. His wealth reflects the scale of infrastructure Binance built during crypto’s global expansion.

#2 Giancarlo Devasini

Estimated Net Worth: ~$22.4B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): USDT (via Tether)

Giancarlo Devasini is the co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Tether (USDT), the issuer of the USDT stablecoin. According to Forbes, he is likely the company’s largest shareholder. As stablecoins became central to global crypto liquidity, Tether’s valuation increased significantly, driving Devasini’s rise among the richest crypto billionaires.

#3 Brian Armstrong

Estimated Net Worth: ~$14.2B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): Coinbase Equity

Brian Armstrong co-founded Coinbase in May 2012, helping establish one of the most widely used, regulated crypto exchanges in the United States. His wealth primarily comes from his equity stake in the company. Armstrong’s journey highlights how compliance, transparency, and access helped bring crypto to a broader audience.

#4 Chris Larsen

Estimated Net Worth: ~$11.9B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): XRP

Chris Larsen co-founded Ripple in 2012 alongside Jed McCaleb, focusing on blockchain-based cross-border payments. Larsen remains executive chairman and holds a substantial XRP portfolio. While XRP’s valuation has fluctuated over time, Larsen’s long-term involvement in financial infrastructure placed him among the world’s richest crypto figures.

#5 Paolo Ardoino

Estimated Net Worth: ~$9.5B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): USDT (via Tether)

Paolo Ardoino became CEO of Tether (USDT) in 2023 and owns a reported 20% stake in the company. Under his leadership, Tether reported strong profitability, reflecting the growing role of stablecoins in crypto markets. Ardoino’s wealth is closely tied to Tether’s continued adoption and financial performance.

#6 Jean-Louis van der Velde

Estimated Net Worth: ~$9.5B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): USDT, exchange infrastructure

Jean-Louis van der Velde previously served as CEO of Tether (USDT) and continues to lead its sister exchange, Bitfinex. He also holds a significant ownership stake in Tether. As the company’s valuation rose, so did his estimated net worth, placing him alongside other Tether-linked billionaires.

#7 Michael Saylor

Estimated Net Worth: ~$8.6B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): Bitcoin

Michael Saylor is best known for leading one of the largest corporate Bitcoin treasuries at MicroStrategy. After previously losing billionaire status during the dot-com crash, Saylor regained it by committing heavily to Bitcoin starting in 2020. His wealth closely tracks Bitcoin’s long-term price movements.

#8 Justin Sun

Estimated Net Worth: ~$8.5B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): TRON (TRX), early Bitcoin exposure

Justin Sun is the founder of the TRON blockchain and has been involved in several crypto exchanges and projects. An early Bitcoin investor, Sun’s wealth reflects both early participation and continued involvement across multiple crypto ventures. His profile highlights how diversification within crypto businesses can help boost net worth.

#9 Michael Novogratz

Estimated Net Worth: ~$7.5B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): Bitcoin, diversified crypto investments

Michael Novogratz transitioned from traditional finance into crypto in the early 2010s and later founded Galaxy Digital. While his career includes both major gains and setbacks, his net worth recovered alongside broader market improvements. His experience reflects how navigating multiple crypto market phases shapes long-term outcomes.

#10 Donald Trump

Estimated Networth: ~$7.2B
Primary Crypto Exposure (Publicly Known): NFTs and family-associated crypto ventures

Donald Trump’s association with crypto has primarily emerged through branded NFT collections and crypto-related ventures linked to businesses associated with his family. According to publicly available reports, these initiatives have contributed to an increase in the estimated value of his digital asset exposure.

The Theoretical Richest Crypto Figure: Satoshi Nakamoto

Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has never been publicly identified. Wallets believed to belong to Satoshi are estimated to hold around 1.1 million Bitcoin, untouched since Bitcoin’s early days. At current prices, this would imply a net worth of roughly $128 billion.

However, because Satoshi’s identity is unverified and the holdings have never moved, this figure remains theoretical and is not included in official billionaire rankings such as Forbes.

How Crypto Billionaires Built Their Wealth

While each path is different, most crypto billionaires accumulated wealth through a combination of:

• Early adoption of Bitcoin and blockchain technology
• Building infrastructure, such as exchanges, protocols, or stablecoin systems
• Long-term holding: Several crypto billionaires held assets through multiple market phases. Rather than reacting to short-term volatility, they focused on long-term trends. 
• Supporting innovation that addressed real financial or technical needs

It’s important to note that these patterns of success with crypto are not limited to only crypto-native founders. In recent years, some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and institutions have also increased their exposure to Bitcoin, viewing it as a store of value rather than a short-term trade. You can explore this shift in more detail, here.

Conclusion

The richest crypto billionaires in 2026 did not accumulate wealth overnight. Their journeys reflect early curiosity, long-term thinking, and a willingness to build or support systems that shaped the crypto ecosystem. While rankings may change, these stories offer insight into how value has been created in crypto, and why education, patience, and understanding remain essential.