From two pieces of pizza to major assets: a inventory of 27 key players on Bitcoin’s 16-year rise

Author: Fairy, ChainCatcher

Edited by: TB, ChainCatcher

Special reminder: This list is based on subjective evaluation of public information and is intended to be interesting discussions and does not constitute investment advice or industry certification. Please refer to it rationally and read it easily. If you have any questions or clues, please contact us and we will continue to update.

Since Laszlo purchased two pizzas with 10,000 Bitcoins on May 22, 2010, Bitcoin has grown from a programming enthusiast's experimental product to a "major asset" valued by global institutions, sovereign funds and even countries. Behind this is the continuous promotion of a group of key figures and institutions - some preach more than ten years, and some introduce hundreds of billions of capital into BTC.

As Pizza Festival approaches, we review the key drivers of Bitcoin’s rise in 16 years. Starting from multiple core dimensions, this list evaluates their actual contribution to BTC's mainstreaming, and intuitively presents the far-reaching impact of each promoter through "star ratings".

The judgment dimensions include:

• Technology and concept contribution: Whether it has promoted the technological progress of Bitcoin or the development of concepts.
• Market influence: Whether or not the price or adoption rate of Bitcoin is significantly affected through investment, products or policies.
• Community and Education: Whether to increase awareness of Bitcoin through media, speeches or community events.
• Continuity and reputation: Whether to persist in promoting Bitcoin for a long time and maintain a positive image in the industry.

Let’s review together, who pushed Bitcoin from “pizza exchange coupons” step by step to the top of today’s global assets?

Agreement blacksmith

Origin coordinate: Satoshi Nakamoto

• ******** Identity: Founder of Bitcoin
• Contribution dimension: white paper release, network launch, coding development
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭(Haoist Hall)

The undisputed "creator" and the seeds of technology and concepts are directly entered into the "Haoist Hall of Honor". Satoshi Nakamoto holds about 1.1 million Bitcoins, accounting for about 5% of the total supply, and his "sleeping" assets provide a symbol of stability for the market. In the early days, he spread the Bitcoin concept through the cryptography email group and retired after 2010.

Casey Rodarmor (Inventor of Ordinals Protocol)

• ******** Representative Event: The Ordinals protocol was proposed in 2023, triggering a Bitcoin NFT craze
• Impact dimension: Open the Pandora's box for Bitcoin's "non-monetary use" to activate developers and new narratives
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Casey Rodarmor released the Ordinals protocol in early 2023, allowing users to inscribe text, pictures and other data on the Bitcoin chain, and also led to the birth of new asset standards such as BRC-20, revitalizing the Bitcoin ecosystem. Although this has caused huge controversy in the Bitcoin community, and some core developers believe that it "polluted" the block space, it is undeniable that Ordinals broke the single narrative of Bitcoin and attracted the attention of a large number of developers, artists and capital.

Luke Dashjr ( early BTC core developer )

• Representative Events: More than ten years of continuous participation in Bitcoin Core code maintenance and upgrade
• Impact dimension: One of the most qualified core developers, the "gatekeeper" who protects the Bitcoin protocol
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Luke Dashjr is one of the earliest core developers of BTC and is still active. He has contributed to Bitcoin core code since 2011, and has been responsible for adding BIP 22 and 23 protocol support to maintain the Bitcoin improvement proposal section on GitHub. He released BFG Miner in 2014, and has become one of the most widely used implementations of Bitcoin mining.

Adam Back (Blockstream & CEO)

• Representative events: early crypto scholar, inventor of Hashcash; later promoted the construction of infrastructure such as Bitcoin side chains and lightning networks
• Impact dimension: dual preaching of concepts and technology
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Adam Back is one of the few people who were named and paid tribute in Satoshi’s white paper. Hashcash, which he invented, was used in Bitcoin's proof of work mechanism, becoming one of the technical sources of the BTC consensus mechanism, and promoted the development of key expansion and privacy tools such as Liquid sidechain and Lightning Network on Blockstream.

Roger Ver (founder of Bitcoin.com)

• Representative events: early investment in blockchain startup projects; later leading the BCH fork
• Impact dimension: Bitcoin’s early preacher and the most controversial representative of the “split faction”
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Roger Ver, known as Bitcoin Jesus, was the most radical preacher and investor of Bitcoin in its early days, and made a significant contribution to its global popularity and the dissemination of technological ideas. In 2017, he supported the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) fork and opposed Bitcoin Core's small block strategy, causing community division and reputation damage.

Institutional Evangelist & Wall Street Guide

Michael Saylor (Co-founder of Strategy)

• ******** Representative Event: Investing corporate assets into Bitcoin, with a total holding of more than 150,000
• Impact dimension: The pioneer of the asset allocation paradigm of listed companies, promotes BTC’s “company treasury”
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Since 2020, Michael Saylor has led Strategy to purchase a total of about 560,000 Bitcoins (about 2.6% of the total supply), driving a corporate investment boom, and its Bitcoin strategy has also caused the company's stock price to soar. Through interviews, Twitter (X) and crypto event summits, Saylor became a global evangelist for Bitcoin, attracting institutional investors.

Larry Fink (CEO of BlackRock)

• Representative Event: Promoting the Application of Bitcoin Spot ETF and successfully approved
• Impact dimension: BTC has entered the "compliance threshold" of institutional investment and is corrected in the context of global asset allocation
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Fink once called Bitcoin a "money laundering tool" in 2017, and began to take a sharp turn for the worse in 2023. BlackRock Spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) was approved in 2024, becoming the fastest-growing ETF in history, with assets under management exceeding US$63.7 billion, attracting traditional investors and pushing the price of Bitcoin to exceed US$100,000.

Barry Silbert (founder of DCG)

• ******** Representative Events: Creating Grayscale Bitcoin Trust GBTC to guide institutional funds to enter early
• Impact dimension: Building a "trust channel" for Bitcoin has become an important transition on the eve of ETFs
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Grayscale, a subsidiary of Barry Silbert, was once the most important channel for promoting institutional compliance and coin holding. In 2013, he launched the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), providing institutions and retail investors with investment channels without directly holding Bitcoin. By 2024, he converted to an ETF and managed nearly US$20 billion in assets.

Jack Dorsey ( founder of Block and former CEO of Twitter )

• Representative events: In 2018, Bitcoin trading was enabled through the Cash App, and Block (former Square) purchased Bitcoin and held it for a long time, and initiated the Btrust Fund
• Impact dimension: BTC communicators in Silicon Valley and the Internet Circle
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Jack Dorsey is a firm believer in the Bitcoin concept. Block's Cash App has become an important entrance for millions of users to access BTC, and has actively developed open source self-custodial wallets and mining hardware to promote the construction of Bitcoin decentralized infrastructure. The Btrust fund he initiated is aimed at supporting developers around the world, with initial focus on African and Indian teams.

Cathie Wood (founder of ARK Invest)

• Representative events: continuously applying for Bitcoin ETFs, publicly supporting Bitcoin’s long-term value
• Impact dimension: Promoting a new generation of growth investors (especially tech stock investors) pay attention to BTC
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

ARK Invest's ARKW ETF has invested in Bitcoin-related companies (such as Grayscale and Coinbase) since 2018. Applying for Bitcoin spot ETFs in 2021, the Bitcoin spot ETF approved in 2024 has exceeded US$5 billion in asset management.

Elon Musk (founder of Tesla, X, SpaceX)

• Representative events: In 2021, Tesla announced the purchase of US$1.5 billion in Bitcoin, and announced the acceptance of Bitcoin payments in the same year (later suspended due to energy consumption issues).
• Impact dimension: One of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world, his every move directly affects the crypto market sentiment
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Musk plays a "emotional pusher" and "circle-breaking amplifier" in Bitcoin history. In 2021, Tesla's decision to buy Bitcoin once triggered a wave of follow-up by institutions and also pushed the price of BTC to a new high. In addition, his support for meme coin DOGE also helped meme culture enter the core stage of the crypto asset world.

Paul Tudor Jones (Legendary Hedge Fund Manager)

• Representative Event: Public investment in Bitcoin in 2020, calling it "the best asset to hedge inflation"
• Influence dimension: Opening the cognitive floodgate for traditional Wall Street capital is one of the turning points of Bitcoin’s institutionalization
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Paul Tudor Jones is one of the key enablers of Bitcoin’s institutionalization, accelerating the mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin with its macro investment vision and Wall Street influence. His investments encouraged Bridgewater, JPMorgan and other institutions to follow up and attract Wall Street funds to inflow.

Policy coordinate system adjustment person

Nayib Bukele (President of El Salvador)

• Representative Events: Promoting El Salvador to Be the First Country in the World to Define Bitcoin as a Fiat Currency
• Impact dimension: pushing Bitcoin from "asset" to "currency" status, opening up the national adoption paradigm
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Nayib Bukele pushed the Bitcoin Act in June 2021, making El Salvador the first country to define Bitcoin as a fiat currency, allowing it to be used for tax payments, payments and debt liquidation. The government launches Chivo wallet, plans to build a "bitcoin city" and exploit Bitcoin using volcanic geothermal energy. Although this kind of national practice is controversial, it has undoubtedly become a turning point milestone in Bitcoin's history.

Trump (U.S. President)

• ******** Representative Events: Promoting the Inclusion of Bitcoin in the National Strategic Reserve, Promise "Make the United States the Capital of Crypto"
• Influence dimension: Strengthening Bitcoin's status with national administrative power and opening a new era of "sovereign Bitcoin" narrative
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

During Trump's 2024 campaign, he made a high-profile commitment to "making the United States the capital of Bitcoin." In the early days of taking office in 2025, he signed an executive order requiring the Ministry of Finance to study the inclusion of Bitcoin in its strategic reserves and accelerate the shift toward friendly supervision. His policy attitude not only reshapes the US Bitcoin regulatory framework, but also drives global policy discussions to heat up, while other countries have also begun to explore Bitcoin reserve plans.

Gary Gensler ( former SEC Chairman)

• Representative Event: Approval of the first batch of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the United States during his term of office, ending the 10-year veto
• Impact dimension: "The ultimate releaser" at the regulatory level
• Star rating: ✭✭

Gary Gensler plays a complex and controversial role in the promotion of Bitcoin policy. From 2021 to 2023, he led the lawsuit against exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance, accusing him of not registering securities transactions, indirectly forcing Bitcoin-related companies to strengthen compliance and promote industry standardization. In 2024, under market and political pressure, Gensler approved 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs, becoming a turning point in the process of Bitcoin mainstreaming.

Cynthia Lummis ( ****Chairman of the US Senate Digital

Assets Subcommittee**** )

• Representative Events: Proposing the "Bitcoin Strategic Reserves Act" and promoting legislative reform of the cryptocurrency regulatory framework
• Impact dimension: Bitcoin legislation backers, committed to developing clear policy frameworks to protect crypto markets
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Cynthia Lummis promotes the standardization of Bitcoin policy through legislation and regional experiments and is a leader in the US policy circle. Wyoming, under its push, became a crypto-friendly state, which will issue the first U.S. state-level stablecoin in July.

Hester Peirce (US SEC member)

• Representative Events: Promote a clearer regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market and support the launch of Bitcoin ETFs
• Impact dimension: Advocate for regulatory reform, advocates providing a more relaxed and flexible regulatory environment for crypto markets
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Hester Peirce is known as the "crypto mom", and has long supported the legalization of cryptocurrency assets within the SEC and promoted the approval of innovative financial products such as Bitcoin ETFs. Peirce's view has a strong influence in the industry and has become an important force in promoting the legalization of the crypto industry.

Liang Fengyi (CEO, Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission)

• Representative Events: Promote the Hong Kong virtual asset platform license system and strengthen cross-border regulatory cooperation
• Impact dimension: Guide crypto regulatory policies in the Asia-Pacific region to balance innovation and risk control
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Liang Fengyi has established Hong Kong's position as a global crypto hub with a clear regulatory framework and forward-looking policies. She led the implementation of the virtual asset trading platform license system, approved the first batch of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in Asia in April 2024, and planned to launch a stablecoin regulatory framework.

Wu Jiezhuang ( Mr. Hong Kong Legislative Council )

• ******** Representative Event: Proposed to establish a HK$100 million fund to support the Web3 industry and advocate "Digital Connect" to allow mainland investors to buy and sell Hong Kong-approved digital assets
• Impact dimension: Advocate compliance innovation in the field of virtual assets and promote Hong Kong's crypto ecosystem
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Wu Jiezhuang is one of the key figures in Hong Kong's political and business circles promoting the development of digital economy and virtual assets. He is the chairman of the Hong Kong Legislative Council’s Subcommittee on Web3 and Virtual Asset Development. He has proposed to establish a HK$100 million fund to support the Web3 industry and advocate the “digital connectivity” to allow mainland investors to buy and sell digital assets recognized by Hong Kong.

Encrypted OG and Platform Enabler

Brian Armstrong (Coinbase)

• Representative Events: Founded Coinbase and built it into the largest crypto-compliant trading platform in the United States. The platform was successfully listed and selected into the S&P 500 Index
• Impact dimension: Coinbase is a representative of the US regulatory compliance route, providing an entry for retail investors and institutions
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Brian Armstrong is one of the key figures in the crypto world's compliance and capital markets. In 2021, Coinbase was listed and Coinbase's stock was recently included in the S&P 500 index, becoming an important milestone in the industry's integration with Wall Street. It also supports spot Bitcoin ETFs such as BlackRock and Fidelity through Coinbase Prime and custodial services, consolidating the institutionalization process of Bitcoin.

Jihan Wu (founder of Bit Deer, Matrixport)

• ******** Representative events: Founding Bitmain, Bit Deer, and Matrixport, leading the mining industry structure
• Impact dimension: By providing efficient mining equipment, the security and computing power of the Bitcoin network have been promoted.
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Wu Jihan is known for his translation of Satoshi Nakamoto's original Bitcoin white paper and is an important figure in promoting the industrialization of Bitcoin. The Bitmain he founded once controlled more than 70% of the world's computing power and was one of the earliest capital promoters of Bitcoin. But he insisted on the big block route and supported the BCH fork, triggering community division. Bitmain's internal strife caused it to withdraw from management in 2021.

Li Lin ( founder of Huobi )

• ******** Representative Events: Founding Huobi.com to promote the early popularization of China's crypto market
• Influence dimension: Huobi was once one of the largest trading platforms in the world, promoting the popularity of Bitcoin in Asia
• Star rating: ✭✭✭

Li Lin played an important role in promoting China's early crypto market. In 2014, he was on the same stage with Wu Xiaoling, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress at the Sanya International Finance Forum, and published the "Development and Outlook of Cryptocurrency" to promote the financial potential of Bitcoin. In 2020, he was investigated due to regulatory pressure and withdrew from Huobi shareholders and management in 2022.

Zhao Changpeng CZ ( founder of Binance )

• Representative Events: Founding Binance and rapidly growing into the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange
• Impact dimension: Provide diversified transaction services to drive the circulation and adoption of Bitcoin worldwide
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Zhao Changpeng is famous for his great contributions to the construction of global exchanges and the popularization of Bitcoin. Binance was founded in 2017 and built a complete public chain, wallet, incubator, stablecoin and other ecosystems. Although he resigned from his position as CEO of Binance due to heavy supervision, CZ has long promoted the popularization of Bitcoin and crypto assets, and its personal influence spans retail investors, project parties and regulatory circles.

Star Xu ( founder of OKX )

• Representative Events: Founded OKX to provide diversified cryptocurrency trading services
• Impact dimension: Asian crypto trading structure innovator, promoting the development of contract and derivatives business
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Star Xu founded OKCoin (later developed into OKX) in 2013, and became one of the world's largest Bitcoin trading platforms in 2014. He has written books such as "Blockchain Pictures" and "Token Economy". In 2020, he withdrew from the director of Ouke Cloud Chain in 2022 due to restrictions on equity mergers and acquisitions investigations.

Marty Bent (Podcast Manager)

• ******** Representative events: Ten31 manages partner and operates the podcast "Tales from the Crypt", which promotes the in-depth dissemination of Bitcoin concepts
• Impact dimension: spreading Bitcoin culture through podcasts, media and educational content has a profound impact on the grassroots community and developer ecology in the United States.
• Star rating: ✭✭

Marty Bent uses words and microphones to convey the values ​​of Bitcoin and is an important guardian of the spiritual core of Bitcoin. Marty Bent is the former head of Great American Mining, actively promoting the use of waste energy to mine Bitcoin and advocating the combination of energy reuse and decentralized cybersecurity.

Jimmy Song (Bitcoin educator, developer and entrepreneur)

• ******** Representative events: Speech and publishing multiple Bitcoin books around the world
• Influence dimension: bridge characters between technology popularization and concept dissemination, connecting developers and the public
• Star rating: ✭✭

Jimmy Song was a Bitcoin Core contributor, and later focused on education and publicity, published books such as "Programming Bitcoin" and "Thank God for Bitcoin", and has delivered speeches and promoted Bitcoin at global conferences all year round.

Andreas M. Antonopoulos ( Bitcoin educator, writer )

• Representative events: publishing classic works such as "Proficiency in Bitcoin" and "Internet Money", popularizing Bitcoin concepts with global tours
• Influence dimension: The cornerstone of building public Bitcoin cognition
• Star rating: ✭✭✭✭

Andreas M. Antonopoulos is one of the most influential educators in the Bitcoin community. He has written more than 200 Bitcoin popular science articles and made dozens of lectures around the world to promote "Bitcoin is the cornerstone of decentralized finance" and influenced global policy discussions.