Share this article
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Crypto’s Most Influential in 2020
CoinDesk marks its seventh Most Influential list with two CoinDesk Live events Dec. 7-8.
Updated Sep 14, 2021, 10:37 a.m. Published Dec 2, 2020, 5:21 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Who moved the needle on crypto this year? What were the projects that mattered? Who shattered the glass ceiling and broke the mold?
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
From DeFi to bitcoin’s late year surge, 2020 was full of big stories, trends and personalities.
Join us we unveil CoinDesk's 2020 Most Influential list, a selection of 12 people who helped push the industry forward this year.
To send questions during the livestream to our guests, tweet #MostInfluential2020.
Day 1: Most influential revisited: Where are they now?
Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 | 1 p.m. ET
Each year since 2014, CoinDesk has identified the “most influential” members of the crypto community. In the early days, the technology was revolutionary but mainstream adoption was nowhere in sight. The community needed influencers to spread awareness, build confidence and set precedents for the digital currency industry to reach its full potential.
These evangelists broke through all the white noise and ushered in a new wave of enthusiasts into the space. To recognize their contributions, CoinDesk launched its “Most Influential” franchise to highlight individuals who moved the needle.
In this CoinDesk Live segment, set for the day before the launch of the Most Influential 2020 list, CoinDesk podcast editor Adam Levine, CoinDesk veteran Bailey Reutzel and Peter McCormack, host of the "What Bitcoin Did" podcast, look back to the first list and take stock of the industry’s progress.
They will share stories from the early days, update us on where the Class of 2014 is now, and interview Lyn Ulbricht of the "Free Ross" campaign.
Day 2: Introducing the Most Influential 2020
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 | 1 p.m. ET
2020 was a watershed year for the cryptocurrency industry. From DeFi and stablecoins, to CBDCs and bitcoin, theses were validated, adoption abounded and a whole new financial system seemed possible.
Join us for a live event on CoinDesk.com, YouTube and Twitter as we sort through these trends and announce the winners of this year's Most Influential list.
To send questions during the livestream to our guests, tweet #MostInfluential2020.
CoinDesk Live: Most Influential 2020Dec. 7-8, 2020 | Save LinkedIn reminderWhere Are They Now?Dec. 7, 2020 | 1 p.m. ET | Save LinkedIn reminderModerators and guests: Adam Levine, CoinDesk podcast editorBailey Reutzel, Events Content ManagerPeter McCormack, host of "What Bitcoin Did" podcastLyn Ulbricht, "Free Ross" campaignIntroducing the Most Influential 2020Dec. 8, 2020 | 1 p.m. ET | Save LinkedIn reminderSpeakers:Zack SewardBen SchillerChad CascarillaMarc HochsteinAnna BaydakovaSarah ZuckerMatt Kane
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Bitcoin and ether volatility trading gets easier with Polymarket's new contracts
Polymarket has launched new prediction markets tied to Volmex's bitcoin and ether 30-day implied volatility indices.
What to know:
- Polymarket has launched new prediction markets tied to Volmex's bitcoin and ether 30-day implied volatility indices, allowing users to bet on how high volatility will get in 2026.
- The contracts pay out if volatility indices reach or exceed a preset level by Dec. 31, 2026, letting traders wager on the intensity of price swings rather than market direction.
- Early trading implies roughly a one-in-three chance that bitcoin and ether volatility will nearly double from current levels.
Top Stories
