Crypto: The Rapid Wealth of Entrepreneurs, a Cycle That Doesn't Stop

In 2025, crypto makes headlines again, not only for its soaring prices but also for the rapid enrichment of its entrepreneurs. Between record fundraisings and secondary sales, some become millionaires in a few months. Yet, behind these successes hide questions about the sustainability of these fortunes.

Crypto entrepreneurs cash in millions even before succeeding

In blockchain this year, crypto entrepreneurs have once again proven they can enrich themselves at a dizzying speed.

• In August 2025, Bam Azizi, founder of Mesh, pocketed 20 million dollars during a 130 million dollar fundraiser, without his company having yet proven its viability;
• Dan Romero, from Farcaster, sold 15 million dollars worth of shares during a 150 million dollar fundraising, despite a disappointing user count.

These operations, called secondary sales, allow crypto founders to get rich very quickly. This is done by converting their shares into cash well before any potential IPO. Investors like Paradigm or Andreessen Horowitz accept these terms to secure their place in promising projects.

But this practice raises questions: do these early payments encourage innovation or create perverse incentives? Some entrepreneurs like those from MoonPay or OpenSea have already been criticized for lavish spending while their companies struggled to take off. A trend that recalls the excesses of ICOs in 2017, where billions were raised without guarantees of success.

Who are the new kings of crypto?

Crypto has its emblematic figures. Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, still dominates the sector with an estimated fortune of 65 billion dollars, thanks to the BNB token. Brian Armstrong, head of Coinbase, and Giancarlo Devasini, cofounder of Tether, complete this trio of veterans whose platforms shape the market. But new names are emerging.

• Polymarket, specialized in prediction markets, raised 2 billion dollars in October 2025, with a valuation nearing 9 billion;
• Pure Crypto, a discreet Chicago-based fund, saw its assets explode by 1,000% since 2018;
• Donald Trump also joined the club, thanks to the $TRUMP token, illustrating the intersection between politics and crypto.

Their strategy? Massive holding of native tokens, targeted fundraisings, and diversification into promising sectors like DeFi or AI. These 2.0 billionaires bet on innovation! But their success will mainly depend on their ability to navigate an increasingly strict regulatory environment.

Crypto: sustainable enrichment or a bubble ready to burst? The challenges of 2026

The year 2025 was marked by records: bitcoin at 100,000 dollars, 450 crypto centimillionaires, and fundraisings exceeding 19 billion dollars. Yet the challenges remain immense. Market volatility, regulatory pressures (SEC, MiCA), and fierce competition among platforms could weaken this ecosystem.

The Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, eagerly awaited, could democratize access to crypto but also amplify speculation risks. Entrepreneurs now bet on AI, tokenization of real assets, or new DeFi protocols. But will these innovations be enough to stabilize a market known for its brutal cycles?

Crypto has created a new generation of billionaires, but its future remains uncertain. Do you think these fortunes built in record time will withstand the test of time? While some see this evolution as a maturing of the sector, others fear a new crash with billions of dollars liquidated.