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. Among the top 50 global fintech companies recognized in 2018, nine are blockchain or cryptocurrency-focused firms, signaling growing mainstream acceptance of decentralized technologies.
This prestigious list follows Forbes’ recent feature on “The Richest People in Cryptocurrency,” underscoring how deeply intertwined innovation in digital assets has become with broader financial services transformation. Notably, founders from Bitfury Group, Coinbase, and Ripple appear on both lists, reflecting their dual impact as industry leaders and personal wealth builders.
The Infrastructure Builders Behind the Hype
While media attention often fixates on cryptocurrency price swings, Forbes emphasizes a more enduring trend:
"The blockchain companies on the Fintech 50 are building infrastructure — laying the groundwork to support the entire crypto market and potentially transform how financial transactions are executed and recorded."
These companies aren't chasing short-term gains; they're engineering the foundational systems that could redefine trust, transparency, and efficiency in global finance. From secure wallets to enterprise-grade ledger solutions, their work targets core inefficiencies in traditional banking and payment networks.
Nine Visionaries Driving Blockchain Adoption
Forbes categorized these nine blockchain innovators under “The Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency,” offering detailed profiles for each. These include insights into their founding stories, funding milestones, strategic visions, and the disruptive potential they pose to legacy financial institutions.
First-Time Entries Signal Market Expansion
Five of the nine blockchain companies earned their spot on the Fintech 50 for the first time in 2018, indicating increased investor confidence and real-world traction. This surge reflects maturing business models, regulatory clarity in certain jurisdictions, and rising demand for blockchain-based solutions across industries like cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and identity verification.
Profiles of Disruption
Each company is framed not just by what it does—but by who it threatens. This "Threat to" metric reveals how seriously traditional finance is taking these startups:
- Blockchain.com (formerly Blockchain.info) is described as "the world’s most popular cryptocurrency wallet," posing a direct challenge to established custodians like Coinbase and Xapo. With millions of users managing Bitcoin and other digital assets, its user-friendly interface has helped onboard mainstream audiences.
- Chain, a developer of enterprise blockchain infrastructure, is positioned as a disruptor to "inefficient legacy financial accounting systems." By enabling banks and financial institutions to build secure, interoperable ledgers, Chain aims to modernize back-end operations that have remained largely unchanged for decades.
Other notable blockchain entrants include infrastructure providers, exchange platforms, and mining technology developers—all contributing to a more robust and scalable ecosystem.
Hidden Gems: Fintech 50 Companies With Crypto Ties
Two additional companies made the Fintech 50 list without being explicitly labeled under the blockchain category—yet their connection to the crypto economy is significant:
Veem: Redefining Cross-Border Payments
Veem leverages blockchain technology to streamline international business payments. Unlike traditional wire transfers that rely on multiple intermediaries and can take days to settle, Veem uses distributed ledger technology to enable faster, transparent, and lower-cost transactions. Its hybrid approach combines blockchain with existing banking rails, making it an attractive solution for small and medium enterprises seeking efficiency without full decentralization.
👉 See how next-gen payment platforms are cutting costs and settlement times—click to learn more.
Robinhood: Democratizing Access to Crypto
Robinhood, best known for its commission-free stock trading app, recently announced plans to launch zero-fee trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH). While not a pure blockchain company, its move brings cryptocurrency trading to millions of retail users who may have never interacted with a traditional crypto exchange. By removing barriers like fees and complex interfaces, Robinhood plays a critical role in mass-market adoption.
Why This Matters: The Broader Implications
The inclusion of so many blockchain firms in a mainstream fintech ranking signals a pivotal shift:
- Institutional Validation: Recognition by Forbes affirms that blockchain startups are no longer fringe experiments but credible contenders in the financial ecosystem.
- Investor Confidence: Venture capital continues to flow into the space, with many of these firms raising substantial funding rounds from top-tier investors.
- Talent Migration: Skilled engineers and finance professionals are increasingly choosing blockchain startups over Wall Street roles.
Moreover, the focus on infrastructure over speculation suggests the industry is maturing. Instead of chasing quick wins through ICOs or price pumps, leading companies are solving real problems: identity management, remittances, compliance automation, and settlement finality.
Core Keywords Driving Industry Growth
Key themes emerging from this year’s list include:
- Blockchain infrastructure
- Cryptocurrency adoption
- Fintech innovation
- Decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Digital asset security
- Zero-fee trading
- Enterprise blockchain solutions
- Cross-border payments
These keywords reflect both current trends and long-term trajectories in financial technology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Forbes Fintech 50 list?
A: It’s an annual ranking by Forbes that identifies the 50 most innovative fintech companies globally, based on factors like growth, funding, market impact, and technological advancement.
Q: Why are blockchain companies included in a fintech list?
A: Because blockchain technology is fundamentally transforming financial services—from payments and settlements to identity verification and asset management—making it a core component of modern fintech innovation.
Q: Are all companies on the list crypto exchanges?
A: No. While some are exchanges like Coinbase, others focus on infrastructure (e.g., Chain), wallets (e.g., Blockchain.com), mining (e.g., Bitfury), or hybrid payment systems (e.g., Veem).
Q: How many blockchain companies were on the 2018 Fintech 50 list?
A: Nine companies were directly involved in blockchain or cryptocurrency, with five making their debut that year.
Q: Is Robinhood a full crypto exchange?
A: At the time of the list’s publication, Robinhood was launching zero-fee crypto trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum but did not support all features of traditional exchanges (like withdrawals to external wallets).
Q: Does inclusion in the Fintech 50 guarantee success?
A: No. The list highlights innovation and potential, but market dynamics, regulation, and execution determine long-term viability.
As blockchain moves from hype to real-world utility, these companies represent the vanguard of a financial revolution—one built not on speculation, but on scalable, secure, and inclusive infrastructure.