Every year, a small group of individuals does more than simply participate in the crypto industry—they actively shape its direction. 2025 was one of those rare years when the balance of power shifted decisively.
The cryptocurrency sector finally moved beyond its long-standing status as a regulatory outcast. What was once defined by enforcement actions and legal uncertainty evolved into a recognized pillar of the global financial system. This transformation wasn’t driven by price speculation alone—it was the result of institutional adoption, political influence, and regulatory clarity.
From the end of major enforcement battles to the emergence of national bitcoin reserves and the passage of landmark legislation such as the GENIUS Act, 2025 rewrote crypto’s relationship with governments, banks, and markets worldwide.
The Top 5 Crypto Figures of 2025
Curated by the Bitcoin.com News editorial team, this list ranks the individuals who most influenced the crypto landscape over the past year. Our evaluation considered multiple factors, including:
- Impact on market structure
- Political and regulatory influence
- Narrative leadership
- Long-term economic consequences
#5 – Brad Garlinghouse
For years, Brad Garlinghouse stood at the center of one of crypto’s most consequential legal battles. In 2025, that chapter finally closed—and reshaped the industry.
The long-running U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission case against Ripple reached its conclusion when the SEC ended its lawsuit. Ripple agreed to a $125 million settlement, and both sides dropped their appeals, closing one of the most closely watched enforcement actions in crypto history.
Ripple’s strategy extended beyond the courtroom. The company was a major supporter of the Fairshake Super PAC, contributing over $50 million during the 2024 election cycle. Following the political shift in Washington, the regulatory tone toward crypto changed significantly.
Rather than celebrating the legal victory, Ripple moved quickly to expand. In the U.S., the company received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter. Internationally, it secured authorization from Dubai’s DFSA to operate regulated crypto payment services within the DIFC.
From a market perspective, Garlinghouse oversaw Ripple onboarding more than 800 banks, processing an estimated $200 billion in annualized tokenized remittances, and supporting the launch of multiple U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded funds.
While Garlinghouse emerged as one of the year’s biggest winners, his influence remained largely centered on Ripple’s ecosystem—placing him just outside the top tier of broader market shapers.
#4 – Brian Armstrong
If 2025 proved anything, it was that regulatory engagement—not avoidance—became the winning strategy.
For years, Armstrong’s compliance-first approach at Coinbase drew criticism during an era of aggressive enforcement. In 2025, that strategy paid off.
Early in the year, the SEC moved to dismiss its case against Coinbase—marking a pivotal moment in U.S. crypto regulation. The decision didn’t just benefit one company; it lifted a legal overhang from the entire market. As a regulated public exchange and primary on-ramp for institutions, Coinbase’s clarity provided relief across the ecosystem.
Coinbase’s product expansion reinforced its central role in institutional crypto infrastructure. The company serves as custodian for the majority of spot Bitcoin ETF assets and saw rapid adoption of its Ethereum Layer-2 network, Base. While late to the L2 race, Base emerged in 2025 as the dominant Ethereum scaling solution by usage and developer traction.
To cap off the year, Coinbase announced plans to expand into tokenized equities, prediction markets, and other financial products—positioning itself as a multi-asset “everything exchange.”
Armstrong’s impact was profound, particularly in shaping U.S. market structure and institutional trust. However, his influence remained focused on bridging crypto and traditional finance, rather than redefining crypto’s broader cultural or political narrative.
Looking Ahead
The individuals ranked above didn’t just navigate crypto’s evolution—they accelerated it. As regulatory clarity replaced uncertainty and institutions moved from experimentation to implementation, 2025 marked a turning point for the industry.
The remaining figures higher on this list shaped crypto’s narrative, power structure, and global perception in ways that extended far beyond exchanges or courtrooms.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This is not any financial advice.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment guidance. Always conduct your own research and consult qualified professionals before making financial decisions.
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