CryptoDaily is back with our annual awards, shining a light on the people who’ve been shaping Web3 in ways that are often scrappy, surprising, and sometimes even against the odds. 2024 was the year where resilience and creativity took center stage. The headlines may have been full of turbulence, but behind the noise, builders kept building, designers kept iterating, and storytellers kept reminding us why this industry matters.
This edition honors standout contributors in seven areas that keep Web3 moving: entrepreneurship, development, design, PR & marketing, public speakership, opinion leadership, and trading. Each award has three honorees: the jury’s choice, the runner-up, and CryptoDaily’s own honorable mention. And of course, we’ll also introduce you to the jury panel itself, because the people doing the choosing are just as much part of this ecosystem as the names they’ve recognized.
Panel of Judges
The 2024 panel blended developers, marketers, researchers, and strategists from across Web3. Not celebrities with millions of followers, but grounded professionals whose day-to-day work keeps this industry moving.
Entrepreneurship
Michael Jerlis, founder & CEO of EMCD Tech, leads one of Eastern Europe’s largest crypto ecosystems, which includes a top-7 global mining pool, a multi-currency wallet, and a P2P exchange. Beyond crypto, he also founded Prana Kitchen in Bali and the EdChess app.
Development
Rohit Chatterjee, partner and co-head of the economics and technology advisory group, and founder of keystone advanced technology services, advises Fortune 10 firms and global regulators on software, smart devices, and competition policy. He holds a Ph.D. in optical nanotechnology from Columbia and is a Forbes technology council member.
Design
Taylor Monahan, former founder of MyCrypto, where she set a standard for user-friendly wallet design in Web3. Since 2022, she has focused on security at MetaMask, bringing her deep product and UX knowledge into safeguarding one of the most widely used wallets.
PR & marketing
Mike Ermolaev, founder of Outset PR, has built campaigns that carried Web3 projects from niche forums to global headlines. With his team, he shows founders that great marketing is not noise but strategy that lasts.
Opinion leadership
Meltem Demirors, a leading voice in digital assets, known for her six years as chief strategy officer at CoinShares, where she drove product innovation, institutional strategy, and policy engagement. She is now general partner at Crucible Capital, backing early-stage crypto and frontier tech ventures. Meltem has testified before U.S. Congress, lectured at MIT Sloan, and spoken at global events including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Consensus, and Token2049, earning recognition as a sharp commentator who bridges traditional finance with the crypto economy.
Public speakership
Vugar Usi Zade, the Chief Operating Officer at Bitget and a seasoned communications leader with 15 years spanning Fortune 500s and startups. Formerly CMO at Beincrypto, he has also co-founded and advised companies at the board level, contributing to the growth of a unicorn MarTech startup. Earlier, as a senior consultant at Bain & Company, he focused on Web3, blockchain, and private equity. He also hosts the “Usi Talk” podcast, where he explores technology, Web3, AI, and blockchain.
Opinion leadership
Jason Fernandes, an investor, entrepreneur, and advisor in the Web3 space with extensive experience in tokenomics and early-stage funding who has closed more than 200 institutional investments in blockchain startups, drawing on his background as both an analyst on the Crypto Now show and later as a portfolio manager for a publicly listed firm in Canada and Germany.
Trading
Philippe Ghanem, founder and executive chairman of SquaredFinancial, where he has built a global multi-asset trading platform. Previously led ADSS Group, one of the largest FX and CFD brokers in the Middle East. Known for pushing innovation by integrating blockchain and AI into trading systems, with deep expertise in institutional markets and execution.
Honorable jury member – Damilola Odufuwa, head of communications at Trust Wallet
Damilola Odufuwa has led PR and product storytelling across some of the industry’s biggest names, including Blockchain.com and Binance. She also co-founded Backdrop, a travel tech startup, and Feminist Coalition, an advocacy group advancing women’s rights in Nigeria. Recognized globally for her work, she brings a sharp mix of communications strategy, community leadership, and cultural vision to Web3.
Together, they combed through dozens of nominees and came back with a list that says something simple: Web3 is alive and well because of the people behind it.
Winners
Entrepreneurship
Jury’s choice – Matias Nisenson, co-founder of DeFi Wonderland
DeFi Wonderland began as a governance-obsessed community project and quickly turned into a proving ground for builders, and Matías Nisenson was at the heart of it. Today, he’s better known for backing founders across Latin America as managing partner at Myelin VC, where he pairs capital with hands-on guidance.
Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Nisenson’s reputation rests on more than his own projects. He’s earned credibility as someone who spots the next wave of talent early and gives them the resources to thrive long before mainstream VCs notice.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Zach Hirsch, co-founder of Mozverse
Zach helped build Mozverse, a Miami-based Web3 and metaverse infrastructure company working at the intersection of AI and immersive tech. Beyond his entrepreneurial work, he has made a name as a podcast host and commentator in the digital creator economy.
His approach ties together storytelling and infrastructure, making Web3 less abstract and more tangible. By showing how narrative and technology reinforce each other, Hirsch has carved out a space where entrepreneurship is about more than code—it’s about culture and connection too.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Eugene Kitkin, CBDO at EMCD
Eugene Kitkin is a blockchain infrastructure strategist and founder with 10+ years of experience building, scaling, and commercializing decentralized technology platforms. His work spans blockchain mining systems, SaaS products, and digital infrastructure. He served as CBDO at EMCD, a top-10 global Bitcoin mining platform, leading ecosystem strategy and business development.
He also founded Whalesburg, an Ethereum mining OS that achieved 0.5% of global hashrate and generated over $1M in recurring revenue. Eugene has consistently shown leadership by managing global teams, launching impactful products, securing partnerships, and making measurable contributions to the blockchain and mining ecosystem.
Development
Jury’s choice – Anton Bukov, co-founder of 1inch
Anton Bukov is one of those builders who prefers shipping code over chasing the spotlight. At 1inch, he’s been instrumental in designing the smart contracts and swapping algorithms that power some of the most widely used tools in DeFi, helping users move assets across chains with speed and security.
He’s also a familiar face at developer meetups and conferences like EthCC, where he shares insights in a way that makes even the most complex ideas click. Known for his hands-on approach and eye for detail, Anton has become a go-to voice for engineers who want to push DeFi forward without overcomplicating things.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Jordi Baylina, founder of Giveth.io and ZiSK
Jordi Baylina has long been at the forefront of Ethereum development, and continued to push the boundaries of Web3 as tech lead at iden3 and founder of Giveth.io and ZiSK. At iden3, he leads zero-knowledge proof innovations and identity infrastructure, while at Giveth he’s driven the creation of open-source smart contracts that power donation platforms and community-driven projects across Ethereum.
His work includes the widely adopted MiniMe token contract, used by projects like Status, Aragon, and District0x. Beyond code, Jordi has become a mentor figure in the developer community, known for blending technical excellence with a commitment to public goods. Whether building new zk frameworks or enabling grassroots funding, his contributions consistently shape how developers and users experience Ethereum.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Tess Rinearson, head of product at OP Labs
At OP Labs, Tess Rinearson leads product and platform security efforts for Optimism, one of the most active scaling solutions for Ethereum. Since joining in early 2023, she’s held senior product leadership roles, shaping both the technical roadmap and developer experience of the Optimism ecosystem.
Before OP Labs, she directed engineering at the Interchain Foundation and Tendermint, helping drive adoption and interoperability across the Cosmos network. With her unique mix of engineering depth and product vision, Tess has become a bridge between developers and protocol teams, showing how technical rigor and user-focused design can scale together.
Design
Jury’s pick – Igor Stojkoski, Web3 product and UX/UI lead at BeInCrypto
Igor Stojkoski is a seasoned UX/UI and Product Designer who specializes in Web3 interfaces, especially in the realms of DeFi, NFTs, and crypto tooling. His portfolio features work with high-impact projects like Aavegotchi and Pika Protocol, as well as UX-driven initiatives for web3 wallets and blockchain gaming.
By combining sharp user research with clean interface design, Igor turns intricate blockchain concepts (like token launches and NFT mechanics) into approachable experiences that feel more familiar than futuristic. His track record shows that great Web3 design isn’t just flashy—it’s deeply rooted in clarity, usability, and thoughtful problem-solving.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Yeho Hwang, senior product designer at Ondo Finance
Yeho is a human-conscious, mission-driven product designer who has spent the past several years shaping some of the most widely used tools in Web3. At ConsenSys, she worked on both MetaMask and Infura, translating complex blockchain interactions into interfaces that feel intuitive and accessible. Yeho just joined Ondo Finance as Senior Product Designer, bringing that same user-first focus into the world of decentralized finance.
Beyond her day-to-day product work, Yeho is also an active voice in the Web3 community, speaking at events like the Web3 Foundation gathering in Berlin on how design can bridge the gap between human behavior and blockchain technology.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Mona Moayer, VP of Not Corrupt Media and token launch media director at Lizard Labs
Mona Moayer is a well-known design storyteller in the Web3 space. Though not a traditional UI designer, her thoughtful journalism and hosting bring design and user experience topics to life. She has a knack for unpacking UX challenges in crypto through interviews, articles, and panels, making the design process itself part of the narrative.
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What makes Mona stand out is how she frames design as a cultural conversation, not just a checkbox. By interviewing leading designers, translating complex UI trends, and speaking on how design influences adoption, she ensures that user-centric thinking stays visible at every level of Web3’s evolution.
Public speakership
Jury’s pick – Amber Ghaddar, founder at AllianceBlock
Amber Ghaddar combines deep technical knowledge with a confident stage presence, making her one of the most compelling voices in Web3. As founder of AllianceBlock, she has helped drive the vision of blending DeFi infrastructure with traditional finance in a way that feels practical and forward-looking. Her keynote appearances at global events like Token2049 and Paris Blockchain Week reflect her ability to bring clarity and focus to conversations that often get lost in the noise.
With roots in investment banking, Amber has a gift for taking complex topics like institutional adoption and regulation and making them approachable without losing their depth. Her style is direct yet relatable, and audiences consistently remark on how she makes even the most technical aspects of DeFi feel engaging and relevant.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Christine Chang, advisor at DSG
Christine Chang has become a familiar face on international stages where fintech and Web3 intersect. As Global VP of Revenue at Tribal Credit, she not only leads growth and venture initiatives but also shares hard-won lessons on expanding financial access in emerging markets. Her talks are known for blending strategy with storytelling, making complex investment and Web3 topics relatable to diverse audiences.
Beyond Tribal, Christine brings her perspective as a Venture Partner at RaliCap Ventures and as Editor-in-Chief for Latin America at This Week in Fintech. These roles keep her closely connected to both founders and investors, shaping the insights she delivers at conferences like O2LAC and regional fintech summits. Whether speaking on stage or moderating panels, Christine’s strength lies in giving voice to underrepresented markets and showing how Web3 tools can bridge global opportunity gaps.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Hasan Al Fardan, CEO at Al Fardan Exchange
Hasan Al Fardan has carved out a niche as a rising public speaker in the Web3 education space. Frequently appearing at hackathons, university events, and regional blockchain meetups, he focuses on demystifying blockchain concepts for younger audiences and first-time builders.
What makes his talks memorable is the energy and enthusiasm he brings – he frames Web3 less as abstract theory and more as a toolkit for everyday problem-solving. Hasan is CEO of Al Fardan Exchange, while also serving in leadership roles across the region – from the Executive Board of the Emirates Family Office Association to the Advisory Committee of the Dubai AI and Web3 Festival.
Opinion leadership
Jury’s pick – Maria Carola, CEO at StealthEX
Maria Carola has spent close to a decade navigating the crypto sector, moving from marketing strategist to executive leader. She first gained visibility as Chief Marketing Officer at a multi-currency cryptocurrency wallet, helping shape its brand within the competitive space.
Her focus later shifted to StealthEX, a non-custodial instant exchange that allows seamless, registration-free swaps for over 2000 crypto assets. After two years as CMO, she became CEO, guiding the platform through expansion while keeping its identity rooted in privacy and decentralization. Known for pushing simpler onboarding and cross-chain accessibility, she blends her background in storytelling with a practical grasp of product growth.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Monique Morrow, co-founder of The Humanized Internet
Monique Morrow isn’t the type to chase hype but the type to ask the hard question: who actually benefits from all this technology we’re building? As co-founder of The Humanized Internet, she’s spent years pushing for blockchain to do more than shuffle tokens – using it instead to give real people, especially refugees and those without formal IDs, something most of us take for granted: recognition, dignity, and access.
She’s worn plenty of hats: from CTO at Cisco to board member at Hedera, but the common thread is a focus on ethics, identity, and inclusion. Monique has become a go-to voice reminding Web3 that the real innovation is in making sure the next version of the internet actually works for everyone.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Griff Green, co-founder of Quadratic Accelerator
Griff Green has been at the heart of Web3’s community-driven movement for nearly a decade. From launching Giveth.io in 2016 to his recent work with Unicorn Account and the Quadratic Accelerator, his projects all circle back to one belief: decentralization should serve people, not just protocols.
What sets Griff apart goes beyond the platforms he co-founded. He has become a strong advocate for public goods funding, community governance, and the cultural foundations of crypto, consistently reminding the industry that Web3’s long-term success depends on values as much as code. While others debate token prices, Griff has kept the conversation centered on how to make decentralized systems sustainable, fair, and truly human.
PR & marketing
Jury’s pick – Amanda Cassatt, CEO and founder of Serotonin
Amanda Cassatt has spent the better part of a decade defining how Web3 talks to the world. As CMO at ConsenSys, she helped bring Ethereum into the mainstream, shaping the narratives that turned complex protocols into a movement. In 2019 she founded Serotonin, a Web3 professional services firm that quickly became the go-to studio for strategy, marketing, and product launches across the industry.
In 2021, Amanda co-founded Mojito, a spin-out from Serotonin that now powers NFT marketplaces and community platforms for some of the world’s biggest brands. What makes her stand out is not just the campaigns or platforms, but her ability to frame Web3 as a cultural shift rather than a passing trend. She has consistently shown that great marketing in this space is about building trust, telling real stories, and creating entry points for the next wave of adopters.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Patrick Hillmann, CSO at Stealth AI
Patrick Hillmann made his mark in Web3 by showing how PR and marketing can steady a brand under fire. At Binance, the world’s largest exchange, he took on the role of CCOr before stepping up as CSO. His leadership meant shaping the company’s story during turbulent times – crafting messaging that translated complex regulatory battles into clear narratives for users, press, and policymakers alike. Instead of chasing hype, Patrick focused on reputation, consistency, and trust, which turned Binance’s communications into a model for the wider industry.
Now at a Stealth AI Company, Patrick is proving once again that good marketing in emerging tech is not just about growth campaigns but also about owning the story when the spotlight is brightest. His work highlights how communications can protect, legitimize, and ultimately grow entire ecosystems, making him one of the most important PR leaders of crypto’s last chapter.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Nathan Snell, CEO at Raleon
Nathan Snell has always been a builder, but what he builds tends to change how people work. At nCino, he helped create the cloud banking platform that grew into an industry standard and eventually went public. Instead of staying in the comfort of fintech, he turned to Web3 and asked a harder question: why does marketing here still feel like guesswork?
That question became Raleon – a platform designed to give crypto teams real insight into their users, from on-chain behavior to community engagement. Nathan’s approach is not about hype campaigns or vanity metrics. It is about making sure projects actually understand the people they are trying to reach, and giving marketing in Web3 the tools and respect it deserves.
Trading
Jury’s pick – Scott Melker, trader and market analyst
Scott Melker, known as “The Wolf of All Streets,” has become one of the most trusted names in crypto trading. A former DJ turned market analyst, he combines technical skill with an ability to connect the dots between charts and global narratives. Through his daily market insights and his widely followed podcast, Scott has turned trading into both a craft and a conversation.
He stands out not only for his performance on the charts, but also for his role as a teacher and guide to the trading community. Scott shows that trading goes beyond calling the next move – it involves breaking down strategy, managing risk, and helping others understand how to navigate markets with confidence.
Jury’s runner-up pick – Jerome Busca, portfolio manager at Fasanara Capital
Jerome Busca brings decades of quantitative trading experience from traditional finance into crypto. After years at Millennium Management, JPMorgan, and his own trading firm, he turned his focus to digital assets and joined Fasanara Digital in London. There, he designs strategies that thrive across market cycles, helping the fund deliver strong performance even in volatile conditions.
His move reflects the larger shift of seasoned institutional talent into Web3. By applying disciplined, data-driven methods to tokens and protocols, Jerome shows how professional trading frameworks are reshaping crypto markets and setting higher standards for performance.
CryptoDaily™ honorable mention – Harry Malinski, CTO at PennyFly Entertainment
Harry Malinski did not start in finance; he started in veterinary medicine. But when he made the leap into crypto, he brought the same discipline and care to trading that he once used in the operating room. Known in the community as CryptoVet, he streams his strategies live, shares hard-won lessons, and opens up the trading process in real time.
By breaking down complex ideas and showing both the wins and the losses, Harry frames trading as more than chasing profit. His work highlights transparency, growth, and a commitment to teaching others how to approach the market with confidence.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 CryptoDaily™ Awards
A huge thank you goes out to our judges for giving their time and perspective, and to every builder, creator, and thinker who keeps Web3 moving forward. The people we recognized this year should feel proud – their work shows what resilience and creativity look like in practice.
Next year we will be back to spotlight another round of trailblazers: entrepreneurs pushing boundaries, developers solving hard problems, traders reading the markets in real time, and the designers and marketers who make it all feel human.
Here’s to the journey ahead. We are already excited to see who steps up in 2025 and earns their moment of applause at the next CryptoDaily™ Awards.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.