Unveiling CoinDesk's Most Influential Figures of 2025

Welcome to CoinDesk's Most Influential 2025 compilation. This year has been marked by notable milestones, including Bitcoin reaching an all-time high of $126,000 and Ethereum undergoing significant network upgrades. Solana has made inroads into Wall Street, while retail and institutional traders have gained greater access to cryptocurrency markets through innovative products like exchange-traded funds. Despite the optimism that characterized the end of 2024, the crypto industry has experienced a mixed bag of developments in 2025, including market fluctuations and reminders of the importance of personal security. CoinDesk has categorized the 50 individuals and groups recognized for their contributions to the crypto industry into 10 distinct themes, each highlighting a unique aspect of the industry's evolution. Our list is not a ranking, but rather a recognition of the impact these individuals and groups have had on the industry, whether positive or negative. The selection process involved a crowd-sourced long list, with input from CoinDesk reporters and the general public, culminating in the final 50 names that will be featured over the next two weeks.