Billions Up For Grabs
Bitcoin is the most successful alternative currency ever created. It is decentralized, global, and along with its blockchain technology, is changing the way commerce and finance is done. When it launched in 2009, it opened up billions of dollars for virtually anyone to grab and own. So, it is not hard to see why the new crop of millionaires and billionaires are much more diverse than previous generations. Bitcoin’s price has always been volatile, going from just under $10 in 2010 to almost $20,00 in early 2018. This gave early adopters huge returns on even their relatively small investments. The Hurun Global Rich List is well known for documenting the wealthiest people on the planet. They reported 346 new billionaires were made in 2019. Of that, 6 were crypto entrepreneurs. Cointelegraph reports approximately 17,275 wallet addresses with holdings worth $1 million or more.
Who Is Getting Rich?
Bitcoin’s overall price increase has produced a handful of billionaires. These early adopters recognized this lucrative opportunity and took advantage of accumulating or mining when the price was very low. Here are a few that have made it big in crypto.
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Barry Silbert
Chief Executive Officer and founder of Digital Currency Group who’s mission is to accelerate the development of the global financial system by building and supporting Bitcoin and blockchain companies. His firm has invested in more than 100 Bitcoin-related companies and giving Barry the nickname “The King Of Crypto”
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Blythe Masters
Former Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and former CEO of Digital Asset Holdings. She is known for encryption-based processing tools that improve security, compliance, efficiency, and settlement speed of securities trading, mainly Bitcoin.
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Dan Morehead
Founder of Pantera Capital which is the world’s first investment firm focusing on bitcoin and other digital currencies. Morehead was also the Cheif Financial Officer and head of macro trading at Tiger Management. He currently sits on the board of directors at Bitstamp, the fourth largest bitcoin exchange.
Future
As the market continues to grow and mature, the investors will also. Expect this list of new millionaires and billionaires to continue to grow as the future is looking bright for Bitcoin and its investors.