From Two Pizzas to $100,000: The 27 Key Figures Behind Bitcoin’s 16-Year Ascent

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Bitcoin has come a long way since Laszlo Hanyecz famously paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas on May 22, 2010. What began as an experimental digital currency among cryptography enthusiasts has evolved into a globally recognized asset class—embraced by institutions, sovereign nations, and mainstream investors alike. This transformation didn’t happen by chance. It was fueled by visionaries, technologists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who, over 16 years, helped shape Bitcoin’s journey from niche innovation to financial cornerstone.

This article explores the pivotal individuals and institutional leaders who played instrumental roles in Bitcoin’s rise. Based on public information and a multi-dimensional evaluation framework, we assess their contributions across four key areas: technical and ideological impact, market influence, community and education, and long-term reputation. Each figure is assigned a star rating (✭ to ✭✭✭✭✭) reflecting their lasting significance.

The Protocol Architects

Satoshi Nakamoto – The Origin Point

Satoshi Nakamoto stands unchallenged as the foundational force behind Bitcoin. By publishing the seminal whitepaper Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System in 2008 and launching the network in 2009, Satoshi introduced a revolutionary consensus mechanism—proof-of-work—built on cryptographic trust. Though he disappeared from public view by 2010, his legacy endures. It's estimated that Satoshi mined approximately 1.1 million BTC during Bitcoin’s early days, a dormant fortune that symbolizes decentralization and scarcity.

👉 Discover how early innovations shaped today's digital asset landscape.

Casey Rodarmor – Unlocking Bitcoin’s Creative Potential

In early 2023, Casey Rodarmor introduced the Ordinals protocol, which allows users to inscribe data—text, images, even videos—directly onto individual satoshis. This breakthrough sparked the BRC-20 token standard and ignited a renaissance in Bitcoin’s developer ecosystem. While critics argue it burdens the blockchain with non-monetary data, supporters see it as a new era of on-chain expression. Regardless of debate, Rodarmor redefined what Bitcoin can do beyond being “digital gold.”

Luke Dashjr – Guardian of the Core

One of the most experienced developers in the Bitcoin ecosystem, Luke Dashjr has been contributing to Bitcoin Core since 2011. He authored BIP 22 and BIP 23, critical improvements for mining protocols, and maintains key infrastructure on GitHub. His work on BFGMiner also helped standardize mining software. Dashjr embodies the ethos of technical rigor and decentralization, often advocating for minimal changes to preserve Bitcoin’s original design.

Adam Back – The Cryptographic Pioneer

Adam Back’s pre-Bitcoin invention, Hashcash, laid the groundwork for proof-of-work—a concept directly adopted by Satoshi. As CEO of Blockstream, Back championed scalable solutions like the Lightning Network and Liquid sidechain, enhancing transaction speed and privacy. His dual role as cryptographer and entrepreneur makes him one of the most influential figures in advancing Bitcoin’s infrastructure.

Roger Ver – The Controversial Evangelist

Known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver was one of the earliest and most vocal promoters of Bitcoin, funding startups like BitPay and Blockchain.com. However, his support for larger block sizes led him to back the 2017 Bitcoin Cash fork—a move that fractured consensus and diminished his standing among core developers. Despite controversy, his early evangelism significantly boosted adoption.

Institutional Champions & Wall Street Gatekeepers

Michael Saylor – The Corporate BTC Strategist

Starting in 2020, Michael Saylor transformed MicroStrategy into Bitcoin’s largest corporate holder, accumulating over 150,000 BTC. His bold strategy reframed Bitcoin as a superior treasury reserve asset, inspiring companies like Tesla and Square to follow suit. Through relentless advocacy on social media and global stages, Saylor became a leading voice in institutional crypto adoption.

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Larry Fink – The ETF Catalyst

Once skeptical, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink reversed course in 2023, filing for a spot Bitcoin ETF. When approved in 2024, IBIT became the fastest-growing ETF in history, amassing over $63 billion in assets within months. This milestone legitimized Bitcoin in the eyes of pension funds, endowments, and retail investors—marking a definitive shift toward mainstream acceptance.

Barry Silbert – The Bridge Builder

Before ETFs existed, Barry Silbert built Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) in 2013—the first regulated vehicle allowing accredited investors to gain exposure to BTC without custodying it themselves. GBTC paved the way for broader institutional participation and served as a critical stepping stone toward ETF approval.

Jack Dorsey – The Silicon Valley Advocate

As CEO of Block (formerly Square), Jack Dorsey made Bitcoin a core part of his vision. Cash App enabled simple BTC buying/selling for over 40 million users. He also funded open-source projects like Spiral (formerly TBD) and launched the Btrust fund to support global developers—especially in Africa and India—fostering decentralized innovation.

Cathie Wood – The Growth Investor Ally

Cathie Wood recognized Bitcoin’s potential early, investing ARK funds in blockchain companies since 2018. Her persistent ETF applications culminated in the approval of ARKB in 2024, attracting over $5 billion in assets. By framing Bitcoin as a disruptive innovation asset, she bridged the gap between crypto and growth investing.

Elon Musk – The Cultural Amplifier

Elon Musk’s influence transcends finance—he shapes narratives. Tesla’s 2021 Bitcoin purchase sent shockwaves across markets, briefly pushing prices above $60,000. Though he later paused BTC payments due to environmental concerns, his tweets alone can move markets. Musk turned Bitcoin into a cultural phenomenon, accelerating its path into public consciousness.

Paul Tudor Jones – The Macro Validator

In 2020, legendary macro trader Paul Tudor Jones declared Bitcoin “the best hedge against fiat currency debasement.” His public endorsement gave credibility to BTC within traditional finance circles, prompting firms like Bridgewater and JP Morgan to reassess digital assets.

Policy Shapers: Governments & Regulators

Nayib Bukele – The Nation-State Pioneer

President Bukele transformed El Salvador into a real-world Bitcoin laboratory—launching Chivo Wallets, building “Bitcoin Cities,” and leveraging geothermal energy for mining. While controversial, this bold experiment proved that sovereign adoption is possible and sparked similar discussions worldwide.

Donald Trump – The Strategic Reserve Advocate

During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to make America the “crypto capital of the world.” Upon taking office in 2025, he directed the Treasury to explore adding Bitcoin to national reserves—an unprecedented move signaling long-term governmental confidence in digital assets.

Gary Gensler – The Reluctant Enabler

As SEC Chair from 2021–2024, Gary Gensler maintained a hardline stance against unregistered securities but ultimately approved 11 spot ETFs under political and market pressure. His tenure was marked by enforcement actions against exchanges like Binance and Coinbase—ironically strengthening compliance norms before opening the door to mainstream products.

Cynthia Lummis – The Legislative Trailblazer

Senator Lummis has been a consistent advocate for digital asset clarity. Her efforts helped make Wyoming a crypto haven and positioned her as a key voice in shaping balanced federal policy.

Hester Peirce – The “Crypto Mom”

Known as “Crypto Mom,” Hester Peirce has consistently pushed for regulatory flexibility to foster innovation without sacrificing investor protection—a rare pro-innovation voice within the SEC.

Julia Leung – Asia’s Regulatory Architect

As CEO of Hong Kong SFC, Julia Leung established clear rules for VASPs and approved Asia’s first spot BTC/ETH ETFs in April 2024—proving that strong regulation can coexist with innovation.

Founders & Platform Builders

Brian Armstrong – The Compliance Vanguard

Brian Armstrong turned Coinbase into America’s most trusted crypto exchange—compliant, transparent, and publicly traded. By supporting BlackRock’s ETF custody needs and expanding globally, he cemented institutional trust in digital assets.

Jihan Wu – The Mining Titan

Jihan Wu translated Satoshi’s vision into industrial-scale reality. Through Bitmain’s ASIC miners, he powered much of Bitcoin’s early network security—though his support for BCH remains divisive.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ) – The Global Exchange Visionary

CZ built Binance from scratch into a full-stack ecosystem—exchange, wallet, chain, stablecoin (BUSD), and incubator (Binance Labs). Despite regulatory challenges leading to his departure as CEO in 2023, CZ’s impact on global access to Bitcoin remains unparalleled.

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Other Notable Contributors:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is considered the most important person in Bitcoin history?
A: Satoshi Nakamoto is universally regarded as the most pivotal figure—the creator whose whitepaper and code launched the entire ecosystem.

Q: Did any governments officially adopt Bitcoin?
A: Yes. El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 under President Nayib Bukele.

Q: What role did ETFs play in Bitcoin’s growth?
A: Spot Bitcoin ETFs, especially those led by BlackRock and Fidelity, brought institutional legitimacy and trillions in traditional capital within reach.

Q: Why did Michael Saylor invest so heavily in Bitcoin?
A: He views Bitcoin as “harder money” than fiat currencies—a superior store of value amid monetary inflation.

Q: Is mining still relevant to Bitcoin’s future?
A: Absolutely. Mining secures the network through proof-of-work and ensures decentralized issuance—a core tenet of Bitcoin’s design.

Q: Can individuals still influence Bitcoin’s direction today?
A: Yes—through development (e.g., Core contributors), education (e.g., podcasters), or entrepreneurship (e.g., exchange founders).

Keywords: Bitcoin history, key figures in crypto, Satoshi Nakamoto, spot Bitcoin ETF, institutional adoption, blockchain pioneers, cryptocurrency influencers