From Traditional Tech Moguls to Crypto-Native Empire Builders

Forbes' latest cover marks a generational shift—from traditional tech moguls to crypto-native empire builders.

In a move that marks a generational shift in the minds of U.S. readers, Forbes has put Justin, founder of TRON and Global Advisor of HTX (formerly Huobi), on the digital asset daily cover.

The March 2025 issue also features an interview with billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, while a joint article by economists Paul Krugman and Thomas Piketty warns of a looming economic crisis. But it’s Justin’s presence on the cover that has sparked the most discussion.

The last time a Chinese entrepreneur appeared on the U.S. Forbes cover was in 2015, when Alibaba’s Jack Ma was featured. Back then, the prevailing narrative among Chinese internet companies was the “Copy to China” model, as they worked to adapt and prove the success of Western business strategies—like e-commerce or food delivery—within the Chinese market.

But today, as the younger generation of Chinese entrepreneurs take the reins, they’re less interested in copying the West and more interested in creating something entirely new. And they’re already making an impact on a global scale.

Enter Justin, who is quickly becoming a household name in China. The 35-year-old crypto billionaire is already a legend in his own right, having built a multi-billion dollar fortune from scratch and become one of the most influential figures in the industry.

But what makes Justin’s story so interesting is that it’s not just about wealth or fame. It’s about how a new generation of entrepreneurs in China are using their skills and knowledge to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

For instance, in the year 2000, when the U.S. dollar was still the primary currency for global trade, and the WTI crude oil futures price surged to $41.43, a new chapter in the financial markets was unfolding. At the same time, China’s macroeconomic trends showcased a stark contrast.

As the younger generation of Chinese entrepreneurs take the reins, they’re less interested in copying the West and more interested in creating something entirely new. And they’re already making an impact on a global scale.

Enter Justin, who is quickly becoming a household name in China. The 35-year-old crypto billionaire is already a legend in his own right, having built a multi-billion dollar fortune from scratch and become one of the most influential figures in the industry.

But what makes Justin’s story so interesting is that it’s not just about wealth or fame. It's about how a new generation of entrepreneurs in China are using their skills and knowledge to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

For instance, in the year 2000, when the U.S. dollar was still the primary currency for global trade, and the WTI crude oil futures price surged to $41.43, a new chapter in the financial markets was unfolding. At the same time, China’s macroeconomic trends showcased a stark contrast.

At the beginning of the year 2000, the total value of goods and services produced in China reached 120,000 over the year in 2000, compared to 9.87 trillion in the U.S., indicating the significant economic potential that China possessed.

The World Bank data also highlighted the stark differences in income levels. In 2000, the high-income economies, mainly located in North America, Europe, and East Asia, had an average GNI per capita of $20,940, while lower-middle-income economies, which included most of Eastern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia, had an average GNI per capita of $2,260.

The disparities in income levels across different income groups during that period were substantial, emphasizing the economic and developmental stage each country was in.

As the new millennium dawned, the world's economic landscape was marked by both convergence and divergence.

The younger generation of entrepreneurs in China, like Justin, are now entering the global stage in greater numbers, bringing with them a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic. They are also eager to learn from their peers in other countries and to contribute to the development of the global economy.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is more important than ever for entrepreneurs from different cultures and backgrounds to come together and collaborate. Only then can we solve the pressing problems that we face and create a better future for all.

Those in the know say that in March 2025, readers of the U.S. edition of Forbes magazine encountered an unusual sight: the cover featured Justin, a name more readily associated with the realm of crypto and blockchain technology.

This wasn’t a tribute to a traditional tech mogul like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, but rather to a rising star in the crypto industry, a domain largely unexplored