The Bitcoin ecosystem has a huge number of personalities who are not just shaping the present but also carving out the future of this digital currency. While there are many of them that are of value to follow, here are some of the most influential figures. The following actively light up social media and YouTube with their Bitcoin insights, or have helped shape the community in the past, and still do in the present.
The Visionaries
There are a few that have to be named as they have set foundational stones that continue to support the entire structure of Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
- Satoshi Nakamoto – The enigmatic creator whose vision started it all. Satoshi not only conceptualized but successfully implemented the first blockchain-based cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. Their landmark whitepaper, released in 2008, proposed a decentralized system that eliminates the need for financial intermediaries, thereby transforming the way money is transacted globally. To this day, Satoshi’s true identity remains a mystery, adding a layer of intrigue to Bitcoin’s origin story.
- Hal Finney – Known as one of the first supporters, adopters, and contributors to Bitcoin, Hal Finney was a renowned computer scientist involved in cryptography before Bitcoin. He received the first-ever Bitcoin transaction from Satoshi Nakamoto. Finney’s contributions to the Bitcoin code and his foresight in seeing the potential of cryptocurrencies are legendary within the community. While, sadly, Finney passed away in 2014 from ALS, he recently received the the Finney Freedom Prize, an award named after himself, that is granted yearly by the Human Rights Foundation to honor individuals that contribute significantly to the development of Bitcoin.
- Nick Szabo – A pioneer in digital currency and smart contracts, Nick Szabo conceptualized and introduced the idea of ‘Bit Gold’ way before Bitcoin became a reality. His thoughts on digital currency and smart contracts laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.
- Wences Casares – CEO of Xapo, Wences is often referred to as “Patient Zero” for his role in popularizing Bitcoin among Silicon Valley tech elites. His advocacy and investment in Bitcoin helped propel its recognition and adoption among a critical and influential demographic.
- Roger Ver – Known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver was one of the earliest proponents of Bitcoin. He invested in multiple Bitcoin startups and was a major player in advocating for the widespread adoption of Bitcoin. His passionate support helped fuel the initial community around Bitcoin and continues to be influential in the space.
The Builders
This group of innovators are the architects and engineers, developing the infrastructure that supports and extends the capabilities of Bitcoin.
- Vitalik Buterin – Best known as the co-founder of Ethereum, which expanded on Bitcoin’s capabilities by incorporating smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code. Buterin’s work has been instrumental in illustrating the potential of blockchain technology beyond simple transactions.
- Charlie Lee – The creator of Litecoin, often considered the silver to Bitcoin’s gold. Lee introduced important innovations, such as decreased block generation time and a different hashing algorithm, which have addressed issues like transaction speed and mining centralization.
- Elizabeth Stark – Co-founder and CEO of Lightning Labs, Elizabeth is at the forefront of developing the Lightning Network, which aims to solve the scalability issues of Bitcoin. Her work could potentially enable millions of transactions per second, transforming Bitcoin into a more viable medium for daily transactions.
- Brian Armstrong – As the CEO of Coinbase, Armstrong has played a critical role in simplifying the Bitcoin buying process, making it accessible to non-technical users worldwide. His efforts have helped turn Coinbase into one of the leading portals for entering the cryptocurrency world. In April of 2021, Coinbase became the first cryptocurrency exchange to go public on the Nasdaq, trading under ticker COIN.
- Jed McCaleb – A key figure in the development of Ripple and later Stellar, McCaleb has focused on using cryptocurrency to improve cross-border transactions. His work emphasizes making financial services more accessible and efficient.
The Amplifiers
Not just participants but they are also among the loudest advocates, pushing the boundaries of Bitcoin’s influence through education, media, and public speaking.
- Andreas M. Antonopoulos – A leading Bitcoin advocate and educator, Antonopoulos has the unique ability to explain complex tech in an accessible way. His books and talks have been crucial in educating people about Bitcoin and its potential impact on society.
- Michael Saylor – The former CEO and current Chairman of MicroStrategy, Saylor’s significant investment into Bitcoin as a corporate asset has not only bolstered Bitcoin’s legitimacy but also inspired other companies to explore Bitcoin as an investment and reserve asset. Under his helm, MicroStrategy has started accumulating approximately 214,400 Bitcoin, at a current value of over $13.5 billion. Saylor often discussed the leading cryptocurrency on social media, and keeps no opportunity wasted to highlight its many benefits.
- Anthony Pompliano – Known as “Pomp,” he is a prolific investor and a vocal proponent of cryptocurrencies. Through his podcast and social media, Pompliano regularly breaks down financial trends and advocates for cryptocurrency adoption, in particular Bitcoin.
- Ben Armstrong (BitBoy Crypto) – A leading crypto influencer and YouTuber, Armstrong has a knack for breaking down complex crypto topics into digestible content, which has helped educate a broad audience and foster a deeper understanding of the industry.
The Advocates
Bitcoin goes beyond its technology and has a philosophical take. The following names are those advocating for its adoption to drive change in financial systems globally.
- Adam Back – CEO of Blockstream, Back is recognized for his work on hashcash, a proof-of-work system used by several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. His contributions are vital for the development and implementation of technology aimed at enhancing Bitcoin’s efficiency and privacy.
- Caitlin Long – A former Wall Street veteran, Long is the Founder and CEO of Avanti Financial Group. She is a leading advocate for cryptocurrency regulation and aims to bridge cryptocurrency with traditional finance.
- Max Keiser – Host of the ‘Keiser Report’, Keiser’s fervent advocacy for Bitcoin stems from his belief in its potential to disrupt traditional banking and empower individuals financially. Kaiser is now a resident of El Salvador, the first nation that turned Bitcoin into legal tender on September 7, 2021. Keiser also serves as an independent advisor to the country’s president, Nayib Bukele.
- Peter McCormack – Through his podcast ‘What Bitcoin Did’, McCormack explores Bitcoin’s impact and potential, providing a platform for education and discussion about the technical, economic, and political impact of the cryptocurrency. McCormack is known for his directness and profound sense of humor which he expresses on social media platform X. Also known as the “King of Bedford”, he purchased his local football club Bedford FC in December of 2021, aspiring to lead the club with “Bitcoin in its heart” with ambitions to reach the English Premier League someday.
- Lark Davis – A well-known figure in the crypto space, Davis uses his platform to provide insightful market analysis, reviews, and cryptocurrency education, helping his viewers navigate the complex world of crypto.
The Critics
Even in a space as innovative as Bitcoin, skepticism remains a crucial component of its ecosystem, providing for the necessary checks and balance. And, it often leads to hilarious moments on social media as a result of interactions between the advocates and critics.
- Nouriel Roubini – An economist known for his skeptical views on cryptocurrencies, Roubini’s criticism focuses on the volatility, scalability, and regulatory issues surrounding Bitcoin, reminding enthusiasts and investors of the risks involved.
- Peter Schiff – A gold bug and investment commentator, Schiff frequently criticizes Bitcoin’s intrinsic value and its comparison to gold, sparking debate and discussion within the community. He recently told his followers on X to “sell your Bitcoin and buy gold and silver now.” “If you fail to act, have fun staying poor”, he added.
- David Gerard – Author of ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain’, Gerard offers a critical view of the crypto industry, highlighting the pitfalls and often speculative nature of cryptocurrencies.
- Paul Krugman – Nobel Prize-winning economist Krugman is vocal about his skepticism regarding Bitcoin’s utility and sustainability, raising important questions about its role as a currency.
- Warren Buffett – Though not directly involved with Bitcoin, Buffett’s critical statements regarding its value and long-term viability have stirred significant attention and discourse. In 2018, he described Bitcoin as “probably rat poison squared” adding that “In terms of cryptocurrencies, generally, I can say with almost certainty that they will come to a bad ending.” He has since not really change his position.