World’s 20 Richest People Revealed (8 of 11)

7. Brock Pierce: $2 billion

Brock Pierce, a former child actor turned entrepreneur and cryptocurrency pioneer, is known for his innovative ventures in the digital space. As a prominent figure in the blockchain industry, Pierce co-founded Blockchain Capital and served as chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation. His early involvement in virtual currencies, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, has built his reputation as a leading advocate for blockchain technology and decentralized finance, driving forward-thinking initiatives in the ever-evolving world of digital assets.

Bonus Fact: Pierce played the young version of Gordon Bombay in the first two The Mighty Ducks movies.

6. Jay-Z: $2 billion

From Brooklyn streets to billionaire status, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) is a hip-hop mogul. His lyrical prowess on albums like Reasonable Doubt cemented his rap legend status. But his empire extends far beyond music. He’s a shrewd businessman, founding Roc Nation and leveraging his influence across fashion, sports, and beyond.

Bonus Fact: Michael Jackson provided backing vocals for Jay-Z’s track “Girls, Girls, Girls” in secret as the King of Pop’s contract with Sony forbade him from publicly recording songs for other labels.