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10 Crypto Companies That Have Stood the Test of Time
It’s been over 15 years since Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin to the world, and as we approach January 3, 2024, several original players in the crypto industry are still going strong. Despite the challenges faced by many companies in 2023, there are a select few that have managed to weather the storms and remain operational. Here is an overview of some of the longest-running crypto firms and their activities in the marketplace.
Braiins Pool (formerly Slush Pool)
Braiins Pool, previously known as Slush Pool, is the oldest bitcoin mining pool still in operation. It was founded by Marek Palatinus, also known as “Slush,” on November 27, 2010. The pool currently accounts for 0.63% of the Bitcoin network’s total hashrate, with a mining power of 2.99 exahash per second (EH/s) over the past three days.
Coinbase
San Francisco-based Coinbase started its operations in June 2012 and has become one of the leading crypto exchanges worldwide. It went public on April 14, 2021, listing its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. However, it faced legal challenges from the SEC on June 6, 2023, accusing it of operating as an unregistered broker.
Canaan
Canaan Inc., founded in 2013, specializes in ASIC chip manufacturing and bitcoin mining hardware. It acquired Avalon, the pioneer of ASIC mining rigs, in the same year. Canaan became one of the first crypto mining companies to go public when it entered the market on November 21, 2019.
Bitfinex
Bitfinex, established in 2012, is a popular crypto exchange founded by Raphael Nicolle and Giancarlo Devasini. It suffered a major security breach in 2016 but managed to recover and maintain its position as one of the top global exchanges.
Blockchain.com
Formerly known as Blockchain.info, Blockchain.com has been operational since 2011. It offers various services, including a block explorer, data analytics, a digital wallet, and a trading platform. The company has created 87 million wallets from users in 200 countries.
Bitpay
Bitpay, founded in May 2011, is a cryptocurrency payment service provider based in Atlanta. It enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments and introduced a Visa cryptocurrency debit card. Bitpay recently announced the discontinuation of its Mastercard program but continues to handle merchant payments.
Bitstamp
Established in 2011 by Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak, Bitstamp is a European cryptocurrency exchange that allows trading against fiat currencies like the USD, GBP, and EUR. Despite experiencing a hack in 2015, Bitstamp recovered and remains one of the leading trading platforms.
Kraken
Kraken, founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell, Thanh Luu, and Michael Gronager, is another San Francisco-based crypto exchange. It has faced regulatory issues with the SEC but continues to operate after agreeing to wind down its staking services.
Bitmain
Bitmain, established in 2013 by Micree Zhan and Jihan Wu, is a renowned manufacturer of Bitcoin ASIC mining rigs. It is known for creating Antminer mining rigs and operating one of the largest mining pools, Antpool.
Satoshilabs (Trezor)
Satoshilabs, the creator of Trezor hardware wallets, has been in operation since 2013. It was founded by Marek Palatinus and Pavol Rusnak. The company recently released its third version of the hardware wallet, supporting over 7,000 digital currencies.
Hot Take: Surviving in the Volatile Crypto Industry
These crypto firms have managed to survive and thrive in an industry filled with uncertainties. While many companies have faced challenges and even collapsed, these pioneers have stood the test of time. Their longevity is a testament to their resilience and adaptability in navigating the ever-changing crypto landscape.
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Source: [Crypto Briefing](https://www.cryptobriefing.com/10-oldest-crypto-companies-still-operating/)
Benito Cormi, the brilliant crypto analyst who has made waves in the world of cryptocurrency. With his razor-sharp analytical skills and deep understanding of the digital asset landscape, Benito has become a trusted figure in the industry and remains at the forefront, tirelessly researching and analyzing market trends to help individuals and businesses make informed decisions in this dynamic landscape.