For the first time in history, seven entrepreneurs who built their fortunes in the cryptocurrency space have made it onto the Forbes 400—America’s most prestigious ranking of the wealthiest individuals. The 2021 list, released on October 5, marks a turning point in how wealth is created, with digital assets playing a central role. Alongside tech innovators and healthcare pioneers, crypto leaders from platforms like Coinbase, FTX, and Gemini now stand among America’s elite.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped off the list for the first time in 25 years, highlighting how rapidly shifting markets can reshape net worths—even for long-standing billionaires.
The Rise of Crypto Billionaires
The combined net worth of these seven crypto founders totals an estimated $55.1 billion, a staggering figure fueled by the explosive growth of digital currencies over the past two years. According to Forbes, this surge is directly linked to record-breaking price rallies across major cryptocurrencies.
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Since September 2020:
- Bitcoin has increased fivefold
- Ethereum (ETH) has surged nearly 1,000%
This unprecedented market momentum has not only attracted retail investors but also institutional players, accelerating mainstream adoption and cementing cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.
Meet the 7 Crypto Billionaires on the Forbes 400
Jed McCaleb – Co-Founder of Ripple (XRP)
- Rank: #377
- Net Worth: $3 billion (~HK$23.3 billion)
A key figure in early blockchain development, McCaleb helped launch Ripple, a payment protocol designed for fast cross-border transactions.
Fred Ehrsam – Co-Founder of Coinbase
- Rank: #333
- Net Worth: $3.5 billion (~HK$27.2 billion)
Ehrsam co-founded one of the world’s most user-friendly crypto exchanges, instrumental in bringing digital assets to everyday investors.
Cameron Winklevoss – Co-Founder of Gemini
- Rank: #261
- Net Worth: $4.3 billion (~HK$33.4 billion)
Alongside his twin brother Tyler, Cameron capitalized on early Bitcoin investments and later built Gemini, a regulated crypto exchange.
Tyler Winklevoss – Co-Founder of Gemini
- Rank: #261
- Net Worth: $4.3 billion (~HK$33.4 billion)
The Winklevoss twins gained fame after suing Facebook over its founding story, but their foresight in Bitcoin has defined their legacy.
Chris Larsen – Co-Founder of Ripple (XRP)
- Rank: #172
- Net Worth: $6 billion (~HK$46.7 billion)
Larsen’s early bet on blockchain-based financial infrastructure positioned him as one of the richest figures in fintech.
Brian Armstrong – CEO & Co-Founder of Coinbase
- Rank: #60
- Net Worth: $11.5 billion (~HK$89.5 billion)
As the public face of Coinbase, Armstrong led the company through a landmark direct listing on Nasdaq in April 2021, boosting his personal wealth dramatically.
Sam Bankman-Fried – CEO & Founder of FTX
- Rank: #32
- Net Worth: $22.5 billion (~HK$175.1 billion)
At just 29 years old, Bankman-Fried became one of the youngest self-made billionaires, leveraging high-frequency trading and derivatives to build FTX into a global crypto powerhouse.
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Trump Exits Forbes 400 After 25 Years
In contrast to the rising crypto tycoons, Donald Trump has fallen off the Forbes 400 list for the first time since 1996. Once ranked at #339 with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion (~HK$19.5 billion), Trump’s wealth declined by $600 million (~HK$4.68 billion) over the past year.
Forbes attributes this drop to:
- Declining real estate values due to pandemic-related economic disruptions
- Reduced income from licensing deals and branding
- Challenges in commercial property sectors, particularly in New York City
While Trump remains wealthy by any standard, his absence underscores how traditional industries like real estate are being outpaced by innovation-driven sectors such as technology and digital finance.
Moderna’s Founders Enter the Billionaire Ranks
The pandemic also created new paths to immense wealth outside of crypto. Three individuals tied to Moderna, the biotech firm behind one of the first FDA-authorized mRNA vaccines, joined the Forbes 400 for the first time:
- Noubar Afeyan – Co-Founder
- Robert Langer – Co-Founder and scientist
- Timothy Springer – Early investor
Their success highlights how breakthroughs in healthcare technology can generate massive returns—not just in public health impact, but in personal fortune.
America’s Richest Got Richer During Global Crisis
Despite widespread job losses and economic hardship caused by the pandemic, the total net worth of the Forbes 400 soared by 40% compared to the previous year. This divergence between elite wealth and broader economic struggles has sparked debate about inequality and market concentration.
Key trends from the 2021 list:
- Most new entrants since 2007
- Majority come from technology, finance, and healthcare
- Average net worth: $7.7 billion (up from $5.5 billion in 2020)
- Combined wealth: $4.5 trillion
This shift reflects a broader transformation in wealth creation—moving from legacy industries like manufacturing and real estate toward innovation-driven fields where scalability and speed are paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are so many crypto founders appearing on the Forbes 400 now?
A: The surge in cryptocurrency prices—especially Bitcoin and Ethereum—between 2020 and 2021 dramatically increased the valuations of crypto companies and their founders’ stakes, pushing them into billionaire status.
Q: Is Sam Bankman-Fried the richest person in crypto?
A: In 2021, yes—he ranked as the wealthiest individual primarily tied to digital assets with a $22.5 billion net worth, largely from his ownership in FTX.
Q: How did Moderna’s founders become billionaires?
A: Their early work on mRNA technology allowed rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine. As Moderna’s stock price skyrocketed, so did the value of their equity holdings.
Q: Can cryptocurrency wealth be sustained long-term?
A: While volatile, many experts believe that blockchain technology and digital currencies are here to stay. Regulatory clarity and institutional adoption will play key roles in stabilizing long-term value.
Q: What does it mean that Trump dropped off the Forbes 400?
A: It reflects a significant decline in his estimated net worth due to underperforming real estate assets and reduced brand revenue during the pandemic—not necessarily insolvency, but a relative loss compared to other billionaires.
Q: Are more crypto entrepreneurs expected to join the list in future years?
A: Absolutely. With ongoing developments in DeFi, NFTs, and Web3, more innovators are poised to enter the ranks of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in coming years.
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Final Thoughts
The 2021 Forbes 400 list tells a clear story: the future of wealth is digital. Whether through cryptocurrency platforms or life-saving biotech innovations, today’s richest individuals are those who leveraged cutting-edge technology during times of global change.
As traditional industries adapt—or falter—the rise of crypto founders signals a new era of decentralized finance and innovation-driven prosperity. For investors and entrepreneurs alike, understanding these shifts isn't just insightful—it's essential.
Core Keywords: cryptocurrency, Forbes 400, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Coinbase, FTX, Gemini, blockchain