Who are the founding fathers of crypto?

The people commonly referred to as the "founding fathers" of cryptocurrency include both early pioneers and influential developers. Leading figures in this regard are:

1. Satoshi Nakamoto - The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, who published the famous Bitcoin white paper in 2008 and launched the Bitcoin network in 2009. Satoshi's work laid the foundation for blockchain technology and the decentralized financial system 1.

2. David Chaum - His early work in cryptography and digital cash, particularly his 1982 dissertation, laid out many foundational aspects of modern blockchain technology, inspiring later developments in cryptocurrencies 2.

3. Vitalik Buterin - Co-founder of Ethereum, which expanded the use of blockchain technology by introducing smart contracts, furthering the potential applications of cryptocurrencies beyond just digital currency 1.

These individuals, among others like Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and more, played significant roles in developing the principles, technologies, and systems that underpin the current cryptocurrency landscape.