Top Crypto Companies on LinkedIn's 2019 Startup List

ยท

LinkedIn, the world's largest professional networking platform, released its 2019 Top Startups list. This prestigious ranking highlights the most promising young companies across twelve countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

The list serves as a valuable resource for professionals seeking to identify innovative and growing workplaces. In 2019, several companies operating within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector were recognized for their impact and growth potential. This article details the crypto-related firms that earned a spot on their respective national lists.

Key Highlights from the US List

The United States list featured a strong showing from fintech and crypto-focused companies, reflecting the sector's significant growth and investor interest at the time.

Robinhood: Ranked #7

While often categorized as a fintech company, Robinhood has been a significant supporter of cryptocurrency adoption. The platform first announced its plans to enable crypto trading in early 2018 and has consistently expanded its service offerings and the number of supported assets. Notably, just weeks before this list was published, Robinhood secured the New York BitLicense, a key regulatory approval, allowing it to offer crypto trading services to New York residents.

The company's valuation was reported at approximately $7.6 billion following a substantial $323 million funding round in July 2019.

Ripple: Ranked #28

Ripple, the company behind the XRP digital asset, was recognized for its work in cross-border payments. At the time, the company was actively hiring, particularly for engineering roles and its Xpring initiative, which aimed to support other startups building on its technology. Ripple emphasized its desire to work with passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Its enterprise-grade blockchain network, RippleNet, was gaining traction with traditional financial institutions, marking a period of rapid expansion for the company's partnership base.

Coinbase: Ranked #29

As a leading US-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase stood out for its growth, having tripled in size over the preceding three years. The company highlighted its commitment to hiring based on skills and values rather than formal education alone.

In a major industry consolidation move, Coinbase had recently acquired Xapo's custody business, significantly increasing the amount of bitcoin under its management and solidifying its position as a major player in crypto asset security. For those looking to understand the evolving landscape of digital asset security, you can explore more strategies for safeguarding investments.

Plaid: Ranked #49

Though not exclusively a crypto company, Plaid's inclusion is relevant due to its critical infrastructure role for fintech. The company provided software services that connected financial applications, including crypto platforms like Coinbase and Abra, to users' bank accounts. Its technology was vital for enabling seamless fiat currency on-ramps into the crypto economy, and it was in a phase of rapid, careful expansion.

Standout Entries from Other Countries

The global nature of the blockchain industry was evident, with companies from Asia, Europe, and Latin America also making the list.

Bitmain: China's Ranked #3

Bitmain, a dominant force in ASIC miner manufacturing, was the sole crypto-related company on China's list. Recognized as a semiconductor design company, its core businesses included chip design, miner production, and operating a cryptocurrency trading platform. The company was also publicly exploring a expansion into AI technology. Its previous funding rounds had reportedly valued the company at over $14 billion.

Revolut: UK's Ranked #2

This crypto-friendly fintech company ranked second in the UK. Revolut began supporting cryptocurrency trading in late 2017 and had previously launched a crypto cashback debit card. The company was vocal in its criticism of broad crypto advertising bans, arguing they unfairly impacted legitimate businesses providing valuable services. LinkedIn noted its successful transition from a payments app toward becoming a full-fledged neobank.

ClearBank: UK's Ranked #11

Another UK-based financial institution friendly to the crypto sector, ClearBank was actively seeking talent to support its growth. Its relevance to the space was underscored when it was selected to provide banking services to Coinbase's UK operations, following another bank's decision to exit the crypto space.

bitFlyer: Japan's Ranked #2

Japan's largest licensed crypto exchange secured the number two spot on Japan's list. Founded with the mission to "make the world simpler with blockchain," bitFlyer had obtained operating licenses in Japan, the US, and the EU. The company notably gained mainstream attention through a high-profile sponsorship deal with Spanish football star Fernando Torres.

QUOINE: Japan's Ranked #9

The operator of the Liquid exchange, QUOINE, was recognized as a rare Japanese unicorn startup, having achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The company made headlines for its role in facilitating access to certain digital assets for the Asian market.

Bitso: Mexico's Ranked #8

As Mexico's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Bitso was the only crypto company to feature on Mexico's list. The company was in a growth phase, planning to add numerous new jobs in engineering and product development. It had also recently secured a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) license from Gibraltar, demonstrating its focus on regulatory compliance while engaging with Mexican authorities to help shape local fintech legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of LinkedIn's Top Startups list?
The list aimed to identify and rank the most promising and innovative startup companies across various countries. It served as a resource for job seekers interested in finding dynamic and growing companies to work for, based on factors like employee growth, engagement, and job interest.

Why were these specific crypto companies included?
These companies were selected due to their significant market impact, rapid growth, high levels of employee engagement, and ability to attract top talent. They represented some of the most successful and notable ventures within the emerging blockchain and cryptocurrency sector at that time.

How does a company get on this list?
LinkedIn's editorial team uses a methodology based on proprietary platform data. They measure key factors such as employment growth, user engagement with the company and its employees, job interest, and the ability of the startup to attract talent from established companies.

Are any of these companies still considered top startups today?
The startup landscape evolves rapidly. While many of these companies have grown into established industry leaders, the "startup" label is typically for younger, high-growth companies. Their presence on a 2019 list reflects their status and potential at that specific point in time.

What trends did the 2019 list reveal about the crypto industry?
The list showed that crypto was gaining mainstream legitimacy, with companies focused on exchanges, trading, payments, and mining being recognized alongside traditional tech startups. It highlighted the global nature of the industry and its appeal to investors and professionals.

Did traditional finance institutions play a role with these crypto startups?
Yes, indirectly. The inclusion of infrastructure companies like Plaid, which connects bank accounts to fintech apps, showed the early interconnections between traditional finance and the crypto economy. Furthermore, several listed companies were focused on bridging this very gap. To see how these integrations work in modern platforms, you can view real-time tools that connect traditional and digital finance.