The easiest way to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in any market is by following the influencers and thought leaders. If you want to follow the crypto market and Web3 trends, we've put together a list of the ten top influencers covering all corners of the industry – from the underlying blockchain technology to venture capital backers.
Let's take a look at the best Web3 and crypto influencers to follow to keep abreast of the latest trends and opportunities.
Following influencers is one of the easiest ways to keep up with the latest trends and opportunities in crypto and Web3. Here are the accounts that you need to follow!
Why Follow Crypto Influencers?
Crypto influencers are thought leaders in the crypto community with massive followings on platforms like Twitter. These influencers share their thoughts on the latest news, market trends, or crypto projects, providing followers with insights that are hard to come by when only reading from news outlets or market analysts.
Following crypto influencers is especially helpful for those new to the crypto space. By reading their content regularly, you'll become more familiar with how the market works and the rationale behind specific projects and technologies. Over time, you may be less dependent on their voices to make decisions or develop ideas.
Of course, what accounts to follow depends on your interest in the crypto space. For example, NFT collectors may be more interested in digital artists pushing the boundaries with new collections. In contrast, cryptocurrency traders might follow market analysts who use technical analysis to spot emerging opportunities.
#1. Vitalik Buterin
Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin is one of the most influential voices in the Web3 and crypto space. In addition to being a brilliant developer, he regularly gives talks and writes papers discussing the future of Web3 and cryptocurrencies. For example, he recently co-authored a paper introducing Soulbound Tokens.
#2. Sam Bankman-Fried
Sam Bankman-Fried has become the "J.P. Morgan" of the crypto industry following the market sell-off in 2022. As CEO of the FTX, a crypto exchange, his bailouts helped shore up crypto companies suffering from the market's liquidity crisis. At the same time, he's become an even more influential voice to pay attention to.
#3. Chris Dixon
Chris Dixon is a partner at a16z, a venture capital firm supporting many crypto startups and entrepreneurs. With his focus on the evolution of the Internet, most of his insights focus on Web3. He provides insights into many of the hottest conversions on Twitter, while his blog contains an in-depth dive into topics affecting the crypto ecosystem.
#4. Brian Armstrong
Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong has been a central part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem since 2013. While he doesn't share Vitalik's cult-like status, he does provide insights into the evolution of crypto regulations. And his work at Coinbase places him at the center of the mass-market adoption of cryptocurrencies.
#5 Layah Heilpern
Layah Heilpern hosts The Layah Heilpern Show where she covers the markets and interviews high-profile guests in the crypto space. She has also been featured on Fox News, GB News, and LBC, analyzing and reporting on cryptocurrencies. And with over 265,000 followers, she has become one of the leading voices in crypto.
#6. Balaji Srinivasan
Balaji Srinivasan is the former Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase and is now a partner at a16z. Unlike Mr. Armstrong, Srinivasan's Twitter feed focuses on the technical evolution of the blockchain and Web3 with insights into everything from artificial intelligence to decentralization. As a result, he's a must-follow for those with a technical interest.
#7. Anthony Pompliano
Anthony Pompliano hosts The Pomp Podcast, making him one of the most influential voices in the Web3 and crypto space. In addition, he frequently appears on national news outlets like CNN and CNBC, where he shares his opinions on digital assets, government regulations, market trends, and many other topics.
#8 Natalie Brunell
Natalie Brunell hosts the Coin Stories podcast interview series on YouTube, where she talks with many of the industry’s leading voices. With a background in investigative journalism, her interviews provide unparalleled insights for crypto investors and enthusiasts. She has also appeared on Fox Business News and various other news outlets covering the industry.
#9. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is CEO of Vaynermedia and an investor in Twitter, Venmo, Facebook, and other tech companies. In addition, he is the creator of VeeFriends, an NFT project around meaningful intellectual property, and VeeCon, a first-of-its-kind Web3 conference. He regularly talks about entrepreneurship, digital assets, and other topics.
#10. Benjamin Cowen
Benjamin Cowen is a self-described crypto quant and owner of Into the Cryptoverse, a provider of quantitative market research. With a Ph.D. in Engineering, he's best known for his market insights and engineering insights into the evolution of blockchain technologies. As a result, he's an excellent voice to follow to get a pulse on the market.
#11 Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark runs Lightning Labs, a developer of open-source, blockchain-based software for money transfers. In particular, the company’s software makes it easier to access bitcoin liquidity and keep liquidity flowing. She’s also a leading voice when it comes to the decentralized internet, making her a must-follow for those involved with Web3.
#12. Jesse Powell
Kraken CEO Jesse Powell is an early pioneer of the crypto space that stepped in after Mt. Gox's collapse. In addition to running one of the oldest crypto exchanges, he is an outspoken advocate fighting against censorship and regulation. As such, he's an excellent person to follow to get a pulse on the industry's philosophical goals.
#13. Sergey Nazarov
Chainlink creator Sergey Nazarov is a crypto oracle pioneer connecting on-chain and off-chain systems. While many influencers tout the benefits of the blockchain and crypto on their own, Nazarov is an advocate for connecting blockchain networks with legacy financial systems to unlock tomorrow's benefits today.
The Bottom Line
The crypto industry has become a trillion-dollar asset class, while Web3 could reshape how everyone experiences the Internet. Those looking to keep abreast of these trends may want to follow the 10 influencers above, who discuss everything from the technical implementation to the business implications.
Finally, it's critical to remember that influencers tend to change over time. New entrepreneurs can quickly rise up the ranks with innovative ideas and concepts, while trading strategies that previously worked may become obsolete. As a result, you should regularly watch for new influencers to follow for the best insights.
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