The financial technology landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and Forbes’ third annual Fintech 50 list—released on February 13—highlights the most influential players shaping the future of finance. Out of the 50 global fintech leaders recognized, nine are blockchain or cryptocurrency-focused companies, underscoring the growing integration of decentralized technologies into mainstream financial systems.
This year’s list comes on the heels of Forbes’ separate feature on “The Richest in Crypto,” further emphasizing the rising prominence of digital assets and the innovators behind them. Notably, founders from three blockchain firms—Bitfury Group, Coinbase, and Ripple—appear on both lists, reflecting their dual impact as industry pioneers and top wealth creators in the crypto space.
👉 Discover how blockchain leaders are reshaping global finance—explore the latest insights here.
The Hidden Infrastructure Revolution
While media coverage often fixates on cryptocurrency price volatility, Forbes points to a deeper, more transformative trend: the construction of foundational infrastructure that could redefine how financial transactions are executed and recorded.
“The blockchain companies on the Fintech 50 are building the backbone of tomorrow’s financial ecosystem—supporting not just crypto markets but potentially overhauling traditional finance itself.”
These firms are no longer speculative ventures; they're engineering scalable solutions for payments, asset custody, transaction settlement, and secure data logging. Their innovations target inefficiencies in legacy banking systems, offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent alternatives.
Spotlight on the 9 Blockchain Innovators
Among the nine blockchain and crypto companies featured, five are first-time entrants to the Fintech 50, signaling fresh momentum in the sector. Each company receives a dedicated profile outlining its mission, founding story, funding milestones, and disruptive potential.
Blockchain.com: Powering Digital Wallets at Scale
Recognized as the “world’s most popular cryptocurrency wallet,” Blockchain.com serves millions of users globally. The company is positioned as a key competitor to major players like Coinbase and Xapo. With a strong focus on user experience and security, it enables seamless access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets.
Its threat to incumbents lies in democratizing access to crypto—making self-custody intuitive for everyday users while maintaining robust privacy controls.
Chain: Reimagining Financial Ledgers
Chain develops enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure for financial institutions. Its software powers secure, real-time transaction processing and ledger reconciliation across distributed networks.
Forbes identifies Chain as a direct challenge to inefficient traditional financial accounting systems, where settlement delays and siloed data create friction. By enabling interoperable, tamper-proof ledgers, Chain helps banks and payment providers reduce costs and increase transparency.
👉 See how next-gen ledger technology is transforming financial services today.
Ripple: Redefining Cross-Border Payments
Ripple leverages its proprietary blockchain network, XRP Ledger, to enable near-instant cross-border transactions for banks and payment providers. Unlike traditional SWIFT transfers that take days and incur high fees, Ripple’s solution settles in seconds with minimal cost.
With partnerships spanning dozens of financial institutions worldwide, Ripple represents a clear threat to outdated international remittance models. Its vision is a globally connected financial system where liquidity flows seamlessly across borders.
Bitfury Group: Mining Infrastructure and Beyond
Originally known for its Bitcoin mining hardware and data centers, Bitfury has expanded into broader blockchain solutions, including government-backed digital identity systems and energy-efficient mining technologies.
As one of the earliest players in the space, Bitfury exemplifies the maturation of blockchain firms—from niche tech providers to full-stack infrastructure developers serving both public and private sectors.
Coinbase: Bridging Crypto and Mainstream Finance
Coinbase remains one of the most recognizable names in cryptocurrency. As a regulated U.S.-based exchange, it serves as a gateway for retail and institutional investors alike. The platform supports buying, selling, storing, and staking a wide range of digital assets.
Forbes highlights Coinbase’s role in legitimizing crypto through compliance, insurance-backed custody, and educational resources. Its public listing further cemented its status as a bridge between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance.
Other Notable Mentions with Crypto Ties
Two additional companies on the Fintech 50 list have significant but less-publicized connections to blockchain technology:
Veem: Enterprise Payments on Blockchain
Veem uses blockchain to streamline business-to-business (B2B) payments across international borders. By leveraging distributed ledger technology, it reduces reliance on correspondent banking networks, cutting processing times and fees.
Though not exclusively a crypto company, Veem’s underlying tech stack demonstrates how blockchain can enhance fiat transaction efficiency—without requiring users to engage directly with digital currencies.
Robinhood: Zero-Fee Crypto Trading for the Masses
Best known for commission-free stock trading, Robinhood recently expanded its offering to include zero-fee Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for its user base. This move lowers the barrier to entry for mainstream audiences curious about crypto.
By integrating digital assets into an already popular investment app, Robinhood accelerates crypto adoption while challenging traditional brokerage models built on transaction fees.
👉 Learn how zero-fee platforms are changing the way people invest in digital assets.
Core Keywords Driving Industry Growth
This year’s recognition of blockchain firms on the Fintech 50 reflects broader trends centered around several key themes:
- Blockchain technology
- Cryptocurrency infrastructure
- Decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Digital wallets
- Cross-border payments
- Financial innovation
- Fintech disruption
- Crypto adoption
These keywords naturally emerge throughout the narratives of the listed companies, illustrating how deeply embedded blockchain has become in modern financial services—even when end users aren’t aware of the underlying tech.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Forbes Fintech 50 list?
A: The Forbes Fintech 50 is an annual ranking of the top 50 most innovative fintech companies globally. It highlights startups and established firms driving change in banking, payments, investing, and financial infrastructure.
Q: How many blockchain companies made the 2018 Fintech 50 list?
A: Nine blockchain or cryptocurrency-related companies were included in the 2018 edition, with five making their debut on the list.
Q: Why are blockchain companies considered disruptive to traditional finance?
A: Blockchain enables faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions without intermediaries. This challenges legacy systems that rely on slow settlement cycles, high fees, and centralized control.
Q: Is Coinbase only for buying crypto?
A: No—Coinbase offers a full suite of services including secure storage (custody), staking rewards, educational content, and institutional trading tools.
Q: Does Robinhood support all cryptocurrencies?
A: Robinhood offers a limited selection of cryptocurrencies—primarily Bitcoin and Ethereum—with plans to expand based on market demand and regulatory approval.
Q: Can non-crypto companies benefit from blockchain technology?
A: Absolutely. Companies like Veem use blockchain to improve fiat-based payment systems, showing that distributed ledger technology has applications beyond digital currencies.