Top Ten Crypto Newsmakers of 2024

2024 was indeed an extraordinary year for the cryptocurrency community, with numerous influential figures making headlines and shaping the future of this dynamic industry. Among them all, one name that continues to captivate the imagination of everyone involved in blockchain technology is Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin.

2024 stood out uniquely in the crypto world, with numerous significant occurrences marking it as an extraordinary year – much like a thrilling ride on a roller coaster.

2024 was a significant year for the cryptocurrency community, with several notable achievements: Bitcoin Halving led to a strengthening of the mining sector, Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 during its bull run, the total market capitalization of the crypto industry increased from $1.2 trillion in 2023 to $3.78 trillion, and a maverick politician, aged 78, won the U.S. Presidency, leveraging the momentum of cryptocurrencies.

2022 was filled with its fair share of excitement, as events unfolded such as the imprisonment of Sam Bankman Fried from FTX, Changpeng Zhao from Binance, and Nischal Shetty from WazirX, who faced harsh criticism for holding back funds worth approximately 250 billion Indian rupees. Moreover, several meme coin initiatives drew scrutiny due to their promotion of harmful or violent behavior, as well as their involvement in rug pull scams. Lastly, there was a significant power struggle between the cryptocurrency community and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over US regulations in 2024.

In 2024, crypto mattered. Period.

This article highlights the top ten individuals who significantly influenced the cryptocurrency market and global crypto community in 2024, leaving an indelible mark on the digital currency landscape.

10. Nischal Shetty

38-year-old Nischal Shetty, a key figure in the crypto world as the co-founder of WazirX, formerly India’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, was a subject of much debate in 2024. Some viewed him as an exceptional entrepreneur, others labeled him as a scammer and a liar, while some believed he was a victim of an unfortunate hacking incident.

Following the reported hack of WazirX to the tune of 2000 crores Indian rupees in July, Nischal has found himself under scrutiny from disgruntled customers and law enforcement bodies, due to certain questionable choices made by the leadership at WazirX.

Among the contentious actions taken by Nischal following the hack are:

Nischal has outlined several commitments to his users for 2025 which encompass the swift distribution of remaining funds, resumption of trading on WazirX, and the launch of India’s largest decentralized exchange, with plans to re-register it in Singapore once again. It seems that certain aspects remain constant.

9. Hester Peirce

Commissioner Hester Peirce at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), affectionately known as “Crypto Mom,” has advocated a positive stance towards cryptocurrencies during her five-year term under SEC chairperson Gary Gensler, who is generally unfavorable to crypto. As an SEC commissioner, Peirce has backed efforts for a balanced approach in regulating the crypto sector, aiming to strike a balance between industry regulation and consumer protection.

2024 found Peirce advocating for fair and balanced cryptocurrency regulations, while also criticizing certain SEC enforcement actions as excessive. This year, her most notable effort was championing the establishment of a “safe harbor” rule for crypto initiatives, which would allow developers more time to experiment without the threat of immediate shutdown.

Since she joined the SEC in 2018, she has primarily garnered attention for advocating for innovative technologies while offering a note of caution. As a key figure shaping discussions about the crypto sector’s policy, Peirce’s influence is profound. Her work in 2024 ensures that policymakers in Washington D.C. continue to involve the cryptocurrency community when deciding on future blockchain and digital currency regulations.

8. Sam Bankman Fried

In essence, the charismatic figurehead of the “Crypto Fraternity”, Sam Bankman-Fried, was seemingly enjoying the high life, until 2023 when his brainchild, FTX – the globally acclaimed cryptocurrency exchange, encountered a catastrophic collapse. As FTX faced allegations of misconduct, fraud, and utilizing clients’ funds for risky trading and investments in precarious ventures, Sam Bankman-Fried found himself under investigation by regulatory bodies such as the SEC. This tumble of FTX resulted in staggering financial losses amounting to billions of dollars, causing significant distress among investors and casting doubts on the resilience of the cryptocurrency market.

In 2024, Bankman-Fried’s trial and conviction resulted in a 25-year prison sentence due to his charges of fraud and conspiracy. As a result, he is now widely recognized as one of the most notorious figures within the crypto world to encounter legal issues related to the cryptocurrency market. The details that emerged during the trial served as a cautionary tale for enthusiasts of cryptocurrencies and potential investors.

The tale of Sam Bankman-Fried mirrors the legend of Icarus, a young boy with gilded wings, who was advised against soaring too near the sun’s brilliance. Regrettably, he disregarded this advice and his wings lost their strength, causing him to plummet.

7. People of Bhutan

In November 2024, the small Himalayan country of Bhutan drew global attention when news broke about its ownership of approximately $1 Billion in Bitcoins, making it one of the world’s leading national Bitcoin holders. Despite being renowned for its happiness index, Bhutan has leveraged its vast hydropower resources to mine Bitcoins and amass a substantial BTC reserve that rivals those of major nations.

In Bhutan, the approach to bitcoin mining is centered around environmental consciousness, taking advantage of its abundant hydroelectric power resources for the mining process. This eco-friendly mining strategy aligns with Bhutan’s sustainability objectives, making it a trailblazer in demonstrating how cryptocurrency can be harmoniously integrated with renewable energy.

The establishment of fixed reserve accounts for Bitcoins and mining operations within the nation is seen as a beneficial step towards economic diversification, given the unpredictability of global financial markets. While Bhutan has not revealed the exact extent of its Bitcoin ownership, the growing involvement in Bitcoin usage indicates that the country is preparing for the future and implementing strategies to leverage technological progress without harming the environment.

6. Michael Saylor

In easy-to-understand language: Michael Saylor, an American businessman who started MicroStrategy, has been making headlines in the world of cryptocurrency due to his very optimistic views on Bitcoin. As Bitcoin (BTC) hit record highs during this bull market, MicroStrategy, under Saylor’s leadership, kept buying more of it.

Known for his strong support of Bitcoin, Saylor entered the digital currency sphere in 2020 when MicroStrategy became the pioneer among publicly traded companies to invest Bitcoin as their main reserve asset. Under his forward-thinking leadership, MicroStrategy has been transitioning into a tech powerhouse with a focus on cryptocurrencies, serving as a bridge between traditional businesses and innovative digital currencies.

In 2024, Saylor has expressed greater enthusiasm towards Bitcoin than ever before. During a recent conversation, he stated he wasn’t shy about referring to Bitcoin as a “Cyber Manhattan”. According to Saylor, Bitcoin is not just a form of value storage; it’s a digital equivalent of gold with the power to transform the economy. His views align with his previous stance that Bitcoin serves as a store of value and future monetary instrument, particularly in light of ongoing market volatility.

5. Changpeng Zhao (CZ)

2024 was a turbulent year for Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, who found himself in hot water with American regulators over allegations that his exchange violated financial regulations and mishandled client funds. This came as part of a broader crackdown by U.S. authorities on crypto exchanges. After serving a four-month prison sentence for noncompliance, CZ made headlines upon his release with a new, more serious appearance reminiscent of the character Walter White from Breaking Bad.

2024 saw speculations that CZ could face criminal charges, fueling whispers about his potential resignation. Yet, CZ continued to make headlines throughout the year as Indian WazirX users called on him for assistance with their funds. Unfortunately, CZ unequivocally declined to offer help in this situation.

4. Elon Musk

2024 saw a bustling year for entrepreneur Elon Musk, renowned for his technological ventures including Twitter (previously X), SpaceX, and Tesla, and more recently appointed as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E).

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign had a strong advocate in Elon Musk, who continues to be an unorthodox and impactful figure. He found Trump’s economic libertarianism aligning perfectly with his aspirations for technological and space innovation. In the year 2024, Musk not only showed emotional support but also provided financial backing to Trump’s campaign, organizing extravagant fundraisers and using his connections in tech and cryptocurrency industries.

In 2024, Musk kept talking about Dogecoin, a widely known meme cryptocurrency, as a potential currency of the future. He even went as far as announcing his intention to officially become part of the Dogecoin team alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. Known for advocating for free speech, Musk has faced criticism due to perceived tolerance towards hate speech and racism on X. (Note: X is a platform or entity where Musk holds significant influence)

3. Nayib Bukele

Nayib ‘Chivo’ Bukele, the charismatic president of El Salvador with a background in business, is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the crypto world in 2024. Known as the “coolest dictator” online, Bukele has been a reformer who significantly improved the law and order, and economic conditions of El Salvador, a country often plagued by gang violence and corruption. His actions, such as imprisoning more than 70,000 suspected gang members, implementing stricter laws, and launching a nationwide anti-violence campaign, have shown his commitment to making El Salvador a safer place once again.

Beyond his strict stance on certain matters, Bukele and his administration have significantly backed Bitcoin. During his tenure, Nayib made Bitcoin a legal tender and even proposed using the nation’s volcanoes for eco-friendly mining. His daring moves are reshaping the way countries can approach Bitcoin mining in a more environmentally friendly manner.

In September, President Bukele had a lengthy discussion with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, at their Gigafactory in Austin, Texas (2024). The topics covered included Artificial Intelligence, Cryptocurrency, and other areas. Throughout the conversation, they both respected each other’s perspectives. Known for his widespread popularity across Latin America, Bukele is often regarded as a significant leader among today’s youth.

2. Donald Trump

Up until July 2024, Joe Biden held a lead over Donald Trump, with just four months left before the start of the U.S. presidential elections. Although Trump had expressed support for the crypto community within the U.S., their relationship was still in its early stages, as both parties were cautious and kept their distance from each other.

At a rally held in Pennsylvania on July 13th, Trump was attacked by a 20-year-old gunman who aimed to assassinate him. However, Trump only sustained an ear injury and narrowly survived. This attempted assassination significantly impacted the course of the U.S. presidential elections. Subsequently, Elon Musk and later the crypto community publicly expressed their support for Trump.

Trump additionally took steps to engage with the community by pledging to transform America into a global leader in Bitcoin, aiming to mine every available Bitcoin within U.S. borders and establish a strategic reserve for Bitcoin assets. Furthermore, he announced his intentions to dismiss Gary Gensler as SEC chair on his inauguration day in 2025, due to widespread disapproval of him within the cryptocurrency community.

Trump’s win against Kamala on November 4 and 5 played a crucial role in Bitcoin surging to unprecedented levels, ultimately breaking through the $100,000 mark. After his election, Trump declared the creation of D.O.G.E., a cryptocurrency initiative led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. He has also outlined ambitious plans aimed at fostering the needs of crypto investors.

1. Satoshi Nakamoto

15 years after vanishing mysteriously, the original pioneer of blockchain technology and Bitcoin’s inventor, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, continues to captivate public interest. In 2024, efforts to unveil Satoshi’s true identity persisted, making headlines within the crypto community.

From an HBO documentary claiming developer Peter Todd to be the real Satoshi to a jester organizing a chaotic press conference in London, everyone wanted to see the face behind Nakamoto but the mystery continues till date. There were also fears that Satoshi might face jail time if at all their identity is brought to public.

In 2024, as Bitcoin soared to record-breaking levels during its bull market, the fortune of Satoshi Nakamoto (the rumored creator) surpassed $100 Billion. Yet, despite widespread curiosity, the mysterious individual behind this digital gold rush has never been identified.

2024-12-26 14:29