From Two Pizzas to $100K: 27 Key Figures Behind Bitcoin’s 16-Year Rise

·

Bitcoin has come a long way since Laszlo Hanyecz famously spent 10,000 BTC on two pizzas in 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 financial powerhouses alike. This transformation didn’t happen by chance. It was driven by visionaries, developers, investors, and policymakers who championed its adoption across technology, finance, and governance.

This article explores the 27 most influential figures who helped shape Bitcoin’s journey from internet curiosity to a cornerstone of the modern financial landscape. Evaluated across four core dimensions—technical contribution, market impact, community education, and long-term reputation—these individuals and leaders have left an indelible mark on the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency.

The Architects: Founding Minds & Protocol Innovators

Satoshi Nakamoto – The Genesis of Bitcoin

No list is complete without Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin. In 2008, Satoshi introduced a revolutionary concept: a peer-to-peer electronic cash system secured by cryptography and consensus. The release of the Bitcoin Whitepaper and the subsequent launch of the Bitcoin blockchain in January 2009 laid the foundation for a trustless financial system.

Satoshi mined the genesis block—Block 0—and is believed to hold around 1.1 million BTC, untouched to this day. This silent presence has become symbolic of Bitcoin’s scarcity and long-term value proposition. After gradually stepping away from development by 2011, Satoshi disappeared, leaving behind not just code, but a philosophy of decentralization that continues to inspire millions.

👉 Discover how early Bitcoin innovations are shaping today’s financial future.

Casey Rodarmor – Unlocking Bitcoin’s Creative Potential

While many viewed Bitcoin as purely a store of value, Casey Rodarmor challenged that notion with the Ordinals Protocol, which allows users to inscribe data—like images, text, or audio—directly onto satoshis (the smallest unit of BTC). This innovation sparked the Bitcoin NFT movement, giving rise to BRC-20 tokens and reinvigorating developer interest in the network.

Though controversial—some argue it bloats the blockchain—Ordinals undeniably expanded Bitcoin’s use cases beyond payments and savings. It demonstrated that even a mature blockchain can evolve through community-driven innovation.

Luke Dashjr – Guardian of the Code

As one of the earliest and most consistent contributors to Bitcoin Core, Luke Dashjr has played a critical role in preserving Bitcoin’s stability. His work includes implementing BIP 22 and BIP 23 (block proposal standards) and developing BFGMiner, one of the most widely used mining software tools.

Dashjr represents the purist ethos within the Bitcoin community—prioritizing security, decentralization, and minimalism over rapid feature expansion. His commitment ensures that Bitcoin remains resistant to centralization and technical drift.

Adam Back – From Hashcash to Lightning

Adam Back’s pre-Bitcoin research on Hashcash directly influenced Satoshi’s proof-of-work mechanism. Later, as CEO of Blockstream, he championed critical infrastructure projects like the Lightning Network and Liquid Sidechain, both aimed at improving Bitcoin’s scalability and privacy.

His ability to merge deep technical knowledge with strategic vision has made him one of the most respected voices in the ecosystem.

Roger Ver – The Controversial Evangelist

Once hailed as “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver was instrumental in funding early crypto startups like BitPay and Blockchain.com. However, his support for larger block sizes led him to back the Bitcoin Cash fork in 2017, positioning himself against the dominant Bitcoin Core development team.

While his influence waned after the split, Ver’s early evangelism helped bring Bitcoin into mainstream conversation.

Institutional Champions: Bringing Bitcoin to Wall Street

Michael Saylor – The Corporate BTC Strategist

Michael Saylor redefined how companies view digital assets. Starting in 2020, his firm MicroStrategy began allocating corporate capital to Bitcoin, eventually holding more BTC than any public company. This bold move triggered a wave of institutional interest and inspired other firms to treat Bitcoin as a legitimate reserve asset.

Saylor’s relentless advocacy through interviews, social media, and conferences has cemented his status as one of Bitcoin’s most powerful evangelists.

Larry Fink – The ETF Game Changer

When Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock—the world’s largest asset manager—announced support for a spot Bitcoin ETF, it marked a turning point. The approval of IBIT in 2024 made Bitcoin accessible to millions of retirement accounts and institutional portfolios. Within months, IBIT amassed over $63 billion in assets, legitimizing BTC as a mainstream investment vehicle.

👉 See how institutional adoption is transforming digital asset markets today.

Barry Silbert – The Bridge Before ETFs

Before ETFs existed, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) was the primary way institutions could gain exposure to Bitcoin without holding it directly. Under Barry Silbert’s leadership, DCG built a crypto investment empire that included Genesis Trading and CoinDesk.

Although GBTC faced challenges post-conversion to ETF, its role in nurturing early institutional demand was pivotal.

Jack Dorsey – Silicon Valley’s BTC Advocate

As CEO of Block (formerly Square), Jack Dorsey made Bitcoin a core part of his company’s mission. Through Cash App, millions bought their first bitcoins. He also launched the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund and supported projects like decentralized identity and mining infrastructure.

Dorsey remains a vocal proponent of Bitcoin as a global, open monetary network.

Policy Pioneers: Shaping National & Global BTC Adoption

Nayib Bukele – The First Nation-State Adopter

President Nayib Bukele took the boldest step yet: declaring Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador. Backed by Chivo wallets, volcano-powered mining, and plans for a “Bitcoin City,” his administration turned theory into practice.

Despite criticism, this move ignited global debate and inspired other nations to explore sovereign Bitcoin strategies.

Donald Trump – The Pro-Crypto U.S. President

During his 2024 campaign, Trump vowed to make America the “crypto capital of the world.” Upon taking office in 2025, he signed an executive order directing the Treasury to study adding Bitcoin to national reserves. This historic shift signaled strong federal support and accelerated regulatory clarity.

Gary Gensler – The Reluctant Approver

As SEC Chair, Gensler maintained a strict stance on crypto regulation—targeting exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. Yet under mounting pressure, he ultimately approved multiple spot ETFs in 2024, marking a watershed moment for market legitimacy.

Platform Builders: Gateways to Global Access

Brian Armstrong – The Compliance Trailblazer

Coinbase became synonymous with regulated access to crypto. Under Armstrong’s leadership, it became the first major U.S. exchange to go public and later joined the S&P 500. Its custody services underpin major ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT.

Armstrong proved that crypto could coexist with Wall Street—without sacrificing core principles.

CZ (Changpeng Zhao) – The Global Exchange Visionary

From humble beginnings in 2017, CZ scaled Binance into a global powerhouse offering trading, staking, research, and even philanthropy via Binance Charity. Despite regulatory challenges leading to his resignation as CEO, CZ’s influence on global adoption remains unmatched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is considered the most important person in Bitcoin history?
A: Without question, Satoshi Nakamoto holds that title. As the creator of Bitcoin, their technical design and philosophical framework laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Q: How did ETFs change Bitcoin’s market dynamics?
A: Spot Bitcoin ETFs allowed traditional investors—like pension funds and retail brokerage users—to gain exposure without managing private keys. This influx of institutional capital helped push prices toward $100K.

Q: Why is El Salvador’s adoption significant?
A: It was the first time a nation embraced Bitcoin as legal tender, proving that governments could integrate decentralized money into their economies—a precedent others may follow.

Q: Did Michael Saylor influence other companies to buy Bitcoin?
A: Yes. After MicroStrategy’s success, firms like Tesla and Square followed suit. Saylor even advised executives globally on treasury diversification using BTC.

Q: Is mining still important for Bitcoin’s future?
A: Absolutely. Mining secures the network through proof-of-work. Innovations like using stranded energy ensure it remains sustainable and decentralized.

Q: What role do educators play in Bitcoin’s growth?
A: Figures like Andreas Antonopoulos and Jimmy Song help translate complex ideas for mainstream audiences—building trust, understanding, and long-term adoption.

👉 Learn how you can be part of the next chapter in digital finance innovation.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin’s rise from pizza purchases to six-figure valuations is a story of perseverance, innovation, and belief. From cryptographers in cypherpunk forums to presidents reshaping national policy, each figure on this list contributed uniquely to its ascent.

The journey isn’t over. With growing institutional ownership, technological evolution via Layer 2s like Lightning, and increasing global acceptance, Bitcoin continues to redefine what money can be—and who controls it.

Core Keywords: Bitcoin history, Satoshi Nakamoto, spot Bitcoin ETF, MicroStrategy BTC holdings, institutional adoption of cryptocurrency, El Salvador Bitcoin law, cryptocurrency regulation.