Crypto's Biggest Movers and Shakers of 2025

In 2025, the crypto world saw some wild ups and downs. Bitcoin hit a new high of $126, 000, and Ethereum got two big upgrades. Solana even made its way to Wall Street. More people, both regular and big-time investors, got into crypto through things like exchange-traded funds. The U. S. became a major player again, and crypto became more mainstream. Even AI started making waves in the crypto space. But it wasn't all good news. The economy was shaky, and crypto markets took a hit. There were also some scary reminders about safety, with attacks and kidnappings happening. Hackers stole more crypto than ever before. This year, 50 people and groups were recognized for their impact on crypto. They were grouped into 10 themes, like politics, money flow, and the darker side of the industry. One big name was U. S. President Donald Trump, who had a huge influence on crypto talks this year. The list isn't ranked, and it's not just about honoring people. It's about recognizing their role, good or bad. Some are builders and leaders, while others are, well, not so great for the industry. The list was made by narrowing down a long list of suggestions from reporters and the public. They tried not to include the same people every year, even if they are big names like SEC's Hester Pierce or Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.