Forbes 30 Under 30 Highlights Young Innovators Shaping Crypto and Finance

The 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list has spotlighted a new wave of young blockchain and fintech entrepreneurs transforming global markets amidst regulatory hurdles. This year’s honorees are redefining finance, trading, and decentralized platforms, demonstrating the growing influence of crypto-driven innovation.

Shayne Coplan: Transforming Prediction Markets

At just 26, Shayne Coplan has positioned himself as a trailblazer in the blockchain space. As the founder of Polymarket, a prediction market platform powered by blockchain, Coplan has overseen billions of dollars in transactions, allowing users to wager on real-world events ranging from political outcomes to sporting events.

Polymarket gained widespread attention during the 2024 U.S. presidential election when its markets predicted Donald Trump’s surprising victory. Despite its success, the platform has faced regulatory challenges, including a 2022 settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) involving $1.4 million in fines.

Recently, Polymarket was subject to further scrutiny when the FBI raided Coplan’s residence, citing alleged unauthorized betting activities in the U.S. While no charges have been filed, the controversy underscores the challenges of operating innovative platforms in an evolving regulatory environment.

Cindy Leow: Building a Derivatives Trading Powerhouse

Cindy Leow, 27, is making waves in the derivatives trading sector as the co-founder of Drift, a Solana-based exchange specializing in perpetuals—contracts allowing traders to speculate on asset prices without owning them.

Since its launch in 2021, Drift has recorded billions in trading volume, generated $40 million in revenue this year, and grown its user base to over 200,000. Backed by leading investors, including Polychain Capital and Multicoin Capital, Drift has become a significant player in crypto derivatives markets.

Leow's entrepreneurial journey began before Drift, with her co-founding a $30 million quantitative hedge fund and working at SoftBank Ventures Korea. Under her leadership, Drift continues to navigate the competitive derivatives market while addressing regulatory scrutiny around such financial instruments.

Kaledora Kiernan-Linn: From Ballet to Blockchain

At 28, Kaledora Kiernan-Linn’s career trajectory is as unique as her innovations. From professional ballet to earning a neuroscience degree at Harvard, she co-founded Ostium Labs, which developed the Ostium Protocol—the first decentralized perpetuals exchange designed for real-world assets.

Ostium Protocol integrates blockchain transparency with traditional commodity trading and financial indices, bridging the gap between decentralized technology and global finance. Although still in its infancy, Ostium Labs has secured $3.5 million in funding from investors like General Catalyst, LocalGlobe, and Balaji Srinivasan, showcasing its potential to revolutionize global markets.

The Bigger Picture: Crypto’s Evolution Beyond Speculation

The stories of Coplan, Leow, and Kiernan-Linn highlight how crypto is evolving into a transformative force across industries. Platforms like Polymarket and Drift are reimagining market structures, while Ostium Labs is pioneering the integration of blockchain with traditional finance.

However, these advancements come with challenges, including legal hurdles and market uncertainties. Polymarket’s regulatory issues and Drift’s focus on derivatives underscore the delicate balance between innovation and compliance in a nascent industry.

The Road Ahead

As these young leaders push the boundaries of what’s possible in finance and blockchain, their journeys reflect both the promise and challenges of the crypto ecosystem. Their inclusion in Forbes’s prestigious list underscores the transformative potential of blockchain technology, while also serving as a reminder of the industry’s ongoing quest for regulatory clarity.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees were selected from over 600 nominations and evaluated by industry leaders, including Chris Britt (Chime), Marc Lasry (Avenue Capital Group), Laura Spiekerman (Alloy), and Nikil Viswanathan (Alchemy). Their achievements signal a bright future for crypto as it matures into a vital component of global finance.