Forbes Billionaires 2026: Elon Musk Reclaims Forbes Richest Spot; Crypto Leaders CZ and Ardoino Follow
Highlights
- Elon Musk tops Forbes 2026 list with a record $839B net worth.
- Crypto leaders CZ ($110B) and Paolo Ardoino ($38B) also rank high.
- CZ dismisses the Forbes list as inaccurate.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has once again been named the world’s richest man, according to the Forbes Billionaires report. Now, Musk has a net worth of $839 billion, which exceeds the total wealth of tech leaders like Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Jeff Bezos.
Famous crypto figures such as Changpeng Zhao and Paolo Ardoino have also made it onto Forbes’ billionaires list. This highlights how the growing acceptance of crypto and blockchain has helped these executives to establish their expertise in global finance.
Elon Musk Tops Forbes Billionaire List Again
According to the Forbes Billionaires Report 2026, Elon Musk has surged ahead with a net worth of $839 billion. This makes the wealthiest person on the planet for the second year in a row.
Notably, Elon Musk’s remarkable financial rise could be attributed to the significant growth of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. The major rise of ventures like xAI has also solidified his position at the pinnacle of global wealth.
In addition, he is also linked to major tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Apart from his personal holdings, his companies also boast major exposure to cryptocurrencies. Tesla is the 12th largest public holder of Bitcoin, with a total of 11,509 coins in the company’s reserves.
This development comes on the heels of Elon Musk’s announcement of early public access to the X Money payments service in April. Following this announcement, as CoinGape reported, Dogecoin has seen a major price surge, as the meme coin is often linked to Musk.
Forbes List Highlights Top Crypto Figures Beyond Musk
Other than Elon Musk, major crypto leaders like Changpeng Zhao and Paolo Ardoino have also secured top spots on the Forbes report. As per the list, Binance founder CZ is ranked 17th with a net worth of $110 billion.
However, CZ responded to the Forbes report, dismissing the figure as ‘inaccurate.’ He stated that the list is based on just guesses. In an X post, he added,
“Definitely not accurate. This is a “guess a number” list, at least for me. Bitcoin/crypto is down 50% from ATH…”
It is worth noting that CZ had continued to hold and buy cryptocurrencies despite the prevailing crypto market volatility. This underscores how his long-term conviction in crypto has paid off.
At the same time, Tether founder Paolo Ardoino is placed at the 53rd spot on the billionaires list. He boasts a net worth of $38 billion, attributing much of it to his crypto investments.
Instant Currency Exchange at BestChange with Ease
- Compare Rates Across 1000+ Exchanges
- Access 250+ Cryptocurrencies & Pairs
- Save Time with Real-Time Price Tracking
Why Trust CoinGape
CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more… to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Delivered every day.
- Insights that move markets
- 100,000 active subscribers
