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Most Influential 2021: Gavin Wood

Following the first batch of parachain auctions, Polkadot will solidify its place as a key proof-of-stake blockchain.

Updated May 11, 2023, 4:31 p.m. Published Dec 9, 2021, 9:45 p.m.
(Adam B. Levine/Pixelmind.ai)
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Polkadot, the proof-of-stake blockchain Gavin Wood built after co-founding the world’s largest blockchain Ethereum, is gearing up for launch. Designed as a scalable blockchain that addresses the fundamental flaws in Ethereum 1.0′s architecture, Polkadot leverages a network of parachains (or parallel blockchains) that can run their own assets and ecosystems while maintaining interchain interoperability. Many of Polkadot’s foundational projects are set to go live this month, following a series of closely watched parachain auctions.

The Complete List: CoinDesk’s Most Influential 202

(Kevin Ross/CoinDesk)
(Kevin Ross/CoinDesk)

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  • GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
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