The Reasons 2017 Was a Significant Year for Crypto
Prior to delving into the key players, it’s critical to comprehend why 2017 was such a significant year for the cryptocurrency industry:

Bitcoin’s Rapid Ascent: By December, Bitcoin had risen from its $1,000 starting point to almost $20,000 in value.
ICO Boom: ICOs, a novel form of crowdfunding that eschewed conventional venture finance, helped startups raise billions of dollars.
Regulatory Obstacles: Governments all across the world began to examine cryptocurrencies, with South Korea tightening regulations and China outlawing initial coin offerings.
Mainstream Adoption: Blockchain technology was first investigated by big businesses, banks, and even governments.
CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2017 list highlighted innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, and regulators who made a significant impact on the sector during this year of profound change.

The Major Players Who Influenced 2017

1. Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder of Ethereum
In 2017, Ethereum, created by Vitalik Buterin, remained the dominant cryptocurrency. Projects were able to raise money using ERC-20 tokens thanks to the Ethereum network, which became the foundation of the ICO revolution. Ethereum is now the preferred platform for smart contracts and decentralized apps (dApps) because to Buterin’s vision of a decentralized world computer, which expanded blockchain beyond digital currency.

2. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO and founder of Binance
When Changpeng Zhao, often known as CZ, founded Binance in 2017, it quickly grew to become one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Binance’s rapid trading engine, cheap fees, and emphasis on altcoins were the main drivers of its success. Binance became a major player in the market because to Zhao’s quick execution and worldwide development plan.

3. Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase

Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, was instrumental in bringing cryptocurrency to the general public. As Bitcoin reached all-time highs in 2017, Coinbase experienced a huge spike in new users. Under Armstrong’s direction, Coinbase became one of the most reliable sites for cryptocurrency purchases and holdings, especially for individual investors.

4. Charlie Lee, Litecoin’s creator

Thanks to Charlie Lee, the creator of Litecoin (LTC), 2017 was also a significant year for the cryptocurrency. Litecoin positioned itself as a “lighter” alternative that offered quicker and less expensive transactions as Bitcoin’s transaction fees and confirmation times skyrocketed. LTC gained a lot of traction because to Lee’s aggressive adoption campaign and active participation in the cryptocurrency community.

5. JPMorgan CEO and cryptocurrency critic Jamie Dimon
Not every member on the list supported cryptocurrency. The CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, gained notoriety in 2017 when he labeled Bitcoin a “fraud” and threatened to shut it down by governments. Even the harshest detractors couldn’t deny the potential of cryptocurrency, as demonstrated by JPMorgan’s subsequent exploration of blockchain applications in spite of his pessimism.

6. Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple
As banks and other financial institutions began investigating RippleNet for cross-border payments in 2017, Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple (XRP), witnessed a sharp increase in the value of the Ripple token. Ripple became a significant player in the fintech industry as a result of its successful aim to connect blockchain technology with traditional finance.

7. Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and founder of ConsenSys
Joseph Lubin, another Ethereum co-founder, was instrumental in.

CoinDesk’s 2017 Influential List: Its Legacy:
The individuals listed on CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2017 list played a significant role in determining the direction of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. While some created the platforms that currently rule the business, others questioned its validity, igniting discussions that still affect adoption and regulation.

In retrospect, 2017 was more than just a year of price spikes; it was a watershed that determined the course of the business. Many of these significant individuals are still at the forefront of the continuous development of cryptocurrency, demonstrating how their contributions continue to spur innovation in the field.