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One well-known person in the cryptocurrency space who has been promoting growth and positive change for Bitcoin is Barry Silbert. Silbert has been instrumental in the growth of the cryptocurrency industry as the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group, one of the biggest cryptocurrency investment firms. He is contributing to the increased usability and accessibility of digital currencies for the general public through his numerous businesses and projects.
Digital Currency Group was founded in 2015 by Barry Silbert Millionaire as an investment firm and holding company focused on blockchain and cryptocurrency startups. Since then, it has grown to become a powerhouse in the industry, with holdings that include crypto exchange Coinbase, mining firm Gensis Trading, and institutional investment firm Grayscale Investments. Through these subsidiaries and others, Digital Currency Group has invested over $2 billion to support hundreds of crypto companies. Their goal is to help build out the necessary financial infrastructure to support widespread cryptocurrency adoption.
One of Barry Silbert’s most notable companies is Grayscale Investments, which manages over $30 billion in crypto assets. Grayscale offers some of the only regulated crypto investment vehicles, such as their Bitcoin Trust, providing an easy way for institutional investors like hedge funds and family offices to gain exposure. Their products have helped drive billions of dollars of institutional capital into the crypto space. Silbert saw the need for these types of regulated investment products early on and Grayscale has become the dominant player in this segment of the market.
Along with building significant businesses, Barry Silbert has assisted in the beginning of projects to promote the development and use of cryptocurrencies. He is one of the main sources of cryptocurrency news and information, having co-founded CoinDesk, an offshoot of the Digital Currency Group, in 2015. CoinDesk assists in informing the public and industry about significant advancements. Silbert established Foundry, a policy branch devoted to lobbying legislators and promoting pro-crypto regulations, more recently, in 2021. Their group seeks to inform policymakers and draft reasonable legislation that safeguards consumers and fosters innovation.
By filling a number of positions, Barry Silbert has kept many prominent bitcoin companies from failing or going bankrupt. In 2018, Silbert’s Digital Currency Group purchased Cryptopia’s assets from bankruptcy after the cryptocurrency exchange was hit hard by a hack. In the time after, they were instrumental in the company’s revival under new leadership. During the bear market of 2018-2019, Silbert arranged for DCG to acquire Genesis Trading, a major cryptocurrency brokerage, when the company was experiencing financial troubles. The company’s demise was likely averted because of this.
Barry Silbert is attempting to fortify the cryptocurrency ecosystem and increase the resilience of digital currencies by founding significant companies like Genesis Trading and Grayscale, in addition to non-profit advocacy through Foundry. As the head of one of the biggest cryptocurrency investment conglomerates, he is aware of the need of strong businesses and supportive legislation for the long term survival and expansion of the industry. Silbert acknowledges that although cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have the potential to completely transform financial systems throughout the world, modifications are still necessary before they are widely adopted. He is assisting in directing Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency industry as a whole toward a more promising future of increased acceptability and utility through his advocacy work, business dealings, and promotional activities.
