We may look back on 2016 as the year of the blockchain. Whether or not that comes to be, the blockchain discussion is breaking out of digital currency circles into a broader discussion of how to reinvent banking, secure online identities and a whole host of other fascinating applications.

To compliment my list of #fintech influencers to follow in 2016, I’ve compiled a list of 250 blockchain influencers on Twitter.

Top blockchain influencers to follow in 2016

Notes on methodology

As always, it’s important to clarify the methodology I have used to compiled this list – in order to clarify what it represents and what it doesn’t. I’ve used a social analytics tool called Little Bird to crunch the data, then I’ve sorted the results into two groups of influencers: PERSONS and ORGANIZATIONS. I like to do this so I can see who the individuals are that are driving discussion on any given topic.

What is critical to note, and often overlooked, is that I DO NOT CHOOSE who is on the list and who is not. The Little Bird algorithm does this. There are likely some bonafide blockchain influencers that do not appear on the list. I welcome any suggestions or inquiries. There may also be people on the list that are not narrowly defined as blockchain influencers, but who many blockchain influencers are paying attention to.

Influence is highly contextual and the product of multiple factors. It is my view that the specific numeric ranking is not as important as the general order in which people and organizations appear on the list. If someone is in the top 10 or 25 on this list, they likely have greater reach and following among other blockchain influencers than someone who ranks between 100 and 125.

My goal in compiling and publishing these lists is to help define the community of people and organizations that are the most active participants in advancing a discussion online around a specific topic.

For more information on how this type of influencer list can be used by you or your business, check out How to use an influencer list.

I welcome any feedback and/or suggestions.