The Rise of Bitcoin in 16 Years: A Review of 27 Key Players

Since the first purchase of pizza with Bitcoin in May 2010, Bitcoin has evolved from an experimental project for programming enthusiasts into an important asset that is of concern to global institutions and countries. In this process, a number of key individuals and organizations have played an important role, promoting the development of Bitcoin from multiple aspects including technology, market, community, and education.

Let's take a look back at who propelled Bitcoin from a niche experiment to the pinnacle of global assets.

Protocol Smith

Satoshi Nakamoto

• Identity: Bitcoin Founder
• Contribution: Publish white paper, launch network, write code
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭ (Hall of Fame)

As the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto is undoubtedly the most important figure. He planted the seeds of Bitcoin technology and ideas and holds approximately 1.1 million Bitcoins. Nakamoto retired after 2010, and his identity remains a mystery to this day.

Casey Rodarmor

• Identity: Inventor of the Ordinals protocol
• Contribution: Proposed the Ordinals protocol in 2023, sparking a Bitcoin NFT craze.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

The Ordinals protocol released by Casey Rodarmor allows various data to be inscribed on the Bitcoin blockchain, opening up new uses for Bitcoin. Despite sparking controversy, Ordinals has brought new vitality to Bitcoin, attracting the attention of a large number of developers and investors.

Luke Dashjr

• Identity: Early Bitcoin Core Developer
• Contribution: Over a decade of continuous participation in the maintenance and upgrade of Bitcoin Core code.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Luke Dashjr is one of the most experienced Bitcoin core developers. Since 2011, he has been contributing to the Bitcoin core code, responsible for adding several important protocol supports. He also developed the popular mining software BFG Miner.

Adam Back

• Identity: Co-founder and CEO of Blockstream
• Contribution: Invented Hashcash, promoted the infrastructure development of Bitcoin sidechains and the Lightning Network.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Adam Back is one of the technical origins of the Bitcoin proof-of-work mechanism. His invention Hashcash was adopted by Satoshi Nakamoto and became the basis of the Bitcoin consensus mechanism. Later, he promoted the development of various Bitcoin scaling and privacy tools through Blockstream.

Roger Ver

• Identity: Founder of Bitcoin.com
• Contribution: Early investment in blockchain projects, later promoting the BCH fork
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Roger Ver, once known as "Bitcoin Jesus," was one of the most radical promoters of Bitcoin in its early days. He made significant contributions to the global adoption of Bitcoin. However, after supporting the BCH fork in 2017, he sparked controversy within the community and his reputation suffered.

Institutional Evangelists and Wall Street Guides

Michael Saylor

• Identity: Co-founder of Strategy
• Contribution: Invest a large amount of corporate assets into Bitcoin, with a total holding of over 150,000 coins.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Michael Saylor led Strategy to make large-scale purchases of Bitcoin, pioneering the allocation of Bitcoin by publicly traded companies. He actively promoted Bitcoin through various channels, becoming a global evangelist and attracting the attention of numerous institutional investors.

Larry Fink

• Identity: BlackRock CEO
• Contribution: Promoted and successfully approved Bitcoin spot ETF
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Larry Fink has transformed from a critic of Bitcoin to a supporter, pushing BlackRock to apply for and obtain approval for a Bitcoin ETF. This product has become the fastest-growing ETF in history, providing traditional investors with a way to access Bitcoin and helping to propel Bitcoin prices to new highs.

Barry Silbert

• Identity: Founder of DCG
• Contribution: Created the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust GBTC, providing an early entry channel for institutional funds.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, founded by Barry Silbert, was an important way for institutions to hold Bitcoin in compliance. After GBTC transitions to an ETF in 2024, it will manage nearly $20 billion in assets, playing a significant role in the mainstreaming of Bitcoin.

Jack Dorsey

• Identity: Block founder, former Twitter CEO
• Contribution: Supporting Bitcoin transactions through Cash App, promoting Block to purchase and hold Bitcoin for the long term.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Jack Dorsey is a staunch supporter of Bitcoin. He has transformed Cash App into an entry point for millions of users to access Bitcoin and actively develops decentralized wallets and mining hardware. He has also initiated a fund to support Bitcoin developers worldwide.

Cathie Wood

• Identity: Founder of ARK Invest
• Contribution: Multiple applications for Bitcoin ETF, publicly supporting the long-term value of Bitcoin.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Cathie Wood indirectly invests in Bitcoin-related companies through ARK Invest's ETF products. She actively applies for a Bitcoin spot ETF, which is approved in 2024. Wood's views have influenced many new-generation growth investors' perspectives on Bitcoin.

Elon Musk

• Identity: Founder of Tesla, X, and SpaceX
• Contribution: In 2021, Tesla purchased a large amount of Bitcoin and briefly accepted Bitcoin payments.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Elon Musk has a huge influence on the crypto market. Tesla's decision to buy Bitcoin in 2021 sparked institutional following and pushed Bitcoin prices to new highs. His support for meme coins has also promoted the development of crypto asset culture.

Paul Tudor Jones

• Identity: Renowned hedge fund manager
• Contribution: In 2020, publicly invested in Bitcoin, calling it the best inflation hedge asset.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Paul Tudor Jones is one of the key figures driving the institutionalization of Bitcoin. His investment decisions have far-reaching impacts, inspiring more Wall Street institutions to pay attention to and invest in Bitcoin.

Policy Coordinate System Adjuster

Nayib Bukele

• Identity: President of El Salvador
• Contribution: Promoting El Salvador to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Nayib Bukele pushed for El Salvador to become the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender in 2021. This decision, although controversial, is undoubtedly an important milestone in the history of Bitcoin development, setting a precedent for national-level adoption of Bitcoin.

Trump

• Identity: Former President of the United States
• Contribution: Commitment to include Bitcoin in the national strategic reserves, supporting the United States to become the "Crypto Capital."
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

During the 2024 campaign, Trump expressed support for Bitcoin, promising to include it in the national strategic reserve. His policy stance not only affects the United States but also drives global policy discussions, encouraging other countries to consider Bitcoin reserve plans.

Gary Gensler

• Identity: Former SEC Chairman
• Contribution: Approved the first Bitcoin spot ETF in the US during his term.
• Rating: ✭✭

Gary Gensler has played a complex role in Bitcoin policy. He has taken legal action against several cryptocurrency exchanges, but ultimately approved the Bitcoin spot ETF, becoming a key milestone in the mainstreaming process of Bitcoin.

Cynthia Lummis

• Identity: Chairman of the U.S. Senate Digital Assets Subcommittee
• Contribution: Proposed the "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bill" to promote reforms in the cryptocurrency regulatory framework.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Cynthia Lummis is an important figure in the U.S. policy circle promoting the legalization of Bitcoin. She advocates for the normalization of Bitcoin policies through legislation and regional pilot programs, making Wyoming a crypto-friendly state.

Hester Peirce

• Identity: SEC Commissioner
• Contribution: Advocate for the establishment of a clear cryptocurrency regulatory framework, support Bitcoin ETF
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Hester Peirce is known as the "Crypto Mom" and has long supported the legalization of crypto assets within the SEC. She has been a key force in pushing for the approval of innovative financial products and promoting compliance in the crypto industry.

Liang Fengyi

• Identity: CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission
• Contribution: Promote the licensing system for virtual asset platforms in Hong Kong and strengthen cross-border regulatory cooperation.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Liang Fengyi has established Hong Kong's position as a global crypto hub through a clear regulatory framework. She has led the implementation of a licensing system for virtual asset trading platforms and approved the first batch of Bitcoin ETFs in Asia.

Wu Jiezhang

• Identity: Hong Kong Legislative Council Member
• Contribution: Propose the establishment of a fund to support the Web3 industry and promote the development of digital assets in Hong Kong.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Wu Jiezhang is a key figure in promoting digital economy and virtual asset development in Hong Kong. He has proposed several suggestions to enhance the development of Hong Kong's crypto ecosystem, including establishing funds and promoting cross-border investment channels.

Crypto OG and Platform Promoter

Brian Armstrong

• Identity: Coinbase co-founder
• Contribution: Founded Coinbase and made it the largest compliant cryptocurrency exchange platform in the United States.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Brian Armstrong has turned Coinbase into a representative of regulatory compliance in the United States, providing an important entry point for both retail and institutional investors to trade Bitcoin. Coinbase went public and was included in the S&P 500 index, marking a milestone in the industry’s integration with Wall Street.

Wu Jihan

• Identity: Bit Deer, founder of Matrixport
• Contribution: Founded companies like Bitmain, leading the mining industry landscape.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Wu Jihan is an important figure in promoting the industrialization of Bitcoin. The Bitmain he founded once dominated the global Bitcoin mining market, enhancing the security and computing power growth of the Bitcoin network.

Li Lin

• Identity: Huobi Founder
• Contribution: Founded Huobi, promoting the early development of the cryptocurrency market in China.
• Rating: ✭✭✭

Li Lin made significant contributions to the early development of the cryptocurrency market in China. Huobi was once one of the largest platforms in terms of trading volume globally, promoting the adoption of Bitcoin in Asia.

Zhao Changpeng

• Identity: Binance Founder
• Contribution: Founded the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Binance, founded by Zhao Changpeng, quickly became the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, offering a diverse range of trading services and significantly promoting the global circulation and adoption of Bitcoin. Although he later resigned from the CEO position due to regulatory issues, his influence remains extensive.

Xu Mingxing

• Identity: Founder of OKX
• Contribution: Founded OKX, providing diversified cryptocurrency trading services.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

OKX, founded by Xu Mingxing, was once one of the largest Bitcoin trading platforms in the world. He has driven innovation in the structure of cryptocurrency trading, particularly in the areas of contracts and derivatives.

Marty Bent

• Identity: Podcast Host, Managing Partner at Ten31
• Contribution: Spread Bitcoin culture through podcasts and media
• Rating: ✭✭

Marty Bent spreads the values of Bitcoin through podcasts and writings, having a profound impact on grassroots communities and the developer ecosystem in the United States. He also actively promotes mining Bitcoin using wasted energy.

Jimmy Song

• Identity: Bitcoin educator, developer, and entrepreneur
• Contribution: Global speeches, published multiple Bitcoin books
• Rating: ✭✭

Jimmy Song is dedicated to the popularization of Bitcoin technology and the dissemination of its concepts. He has published several books related to Bitcoin and frequently speaks at global conferences.

Andreas M. Antonopoulos

• Identity: Bitcoin educator, writer
• Contribution: Published several classic Bitcoin works and conducted a global tour of speeches.
• Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Andreas M. Antonopoulos is one of the most influential educators in the Bitcoin community. Through his works, articles, and speeches, he has spread the ideas of Bitcoin globally, influencing public perception and policy discussions about Bitcoin.