Latest from Benjamin Schiller
Paul Sztorc: Scaling Bitcoin With Sidechains
The developer’s proposal (BIP 300) for “Drive Chains” (sidechains) on Bitcoin – meant to allow greater collaboration with other chains – was met with fierce opposition from some Bitcoiners this year. Sztorc says the community hasn’t been innovating fast enough.
Jesse Pollak Is Putting the Base in Coinbase
Coinbase's layer-2 blockchain, which launched this year, helps the exchange to scale and reduce transaction fees. Rivals, like Kraken, are now said to be launching their own layer 2s. That's why Pollak is part of CoinDesk's Most Influential 2023 list.
Refik Anadol's AI-Driven Work Breaks Big in 2023
Digital artist Refik Anadol's creatively sculpted imaginations generated wonder and discussion as he brought his data-generated artwork from the blockchain to the world’s largest screens.
Brad Garlinghouse Is 2023's Comeback King With XRP's Win Over SEC
Ripple's CEO emerged triumphant this year in legal cases with big implications for crypto's future. He couldn't have done it without the XRP Army.
Sam Altman: The World That Sam Made
From ChatGPT to Worldcoin, Sam Altman changed everything in 2023.
Brian Armstrong of Coinbase Is Crypto's Last Big Man Standing
With CZ gone at Binance, and SBF set for prison, Brian Armstrong is the biggest big gun still in the hot seat. Having launched its own layer-2 blockchain and derivatives exchange this year, and ETFs looking poised to launch in 2024, Coinbase looks well positioned to ride crypto's next wave.
Gary Gensler: The Crypto Lightning Rod Who Runs the SEC
No regulator or law enforcement official had as much influence on crypto this year. But is the SEC chair singled out too much by critics?
PayPal's Jose Fernandez da Ponte: Stablecoins for All
The payments giant debuted its own Ethereum-based U.S. dollar stablecoin this year, offering serious competition to existing market leaders such as Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC.
Paolo Ardoino: The Hardest Working Man in Crypto
The newly promoted CEO of Tether is looking to diversify the firm's investments after a banner year where the stablecoin giant is on track to profit $4.5 billion.
Ryan Selkis Goes to Washington
Ryan Selkis built a political fundraising machine for crypto that's ready to sway elections in 2024. That's why the Messari founder is one of CoinDesk's Most Influential people of 2023.
