A new study out of Germany’s Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has identified and categorised the most important crypto influencers on Twitter, and analysed how they shape the Bitcoin discussion. If you are a Bitcoin influencer, you may see yourself here.
The study used a large dataset of 115 million Bitcoin-related tweets from 2009 to 2022, and created an opinion leader index to rank the influencers based on six criteria: reputation, audience reach, activity, engagement, originality, and sentiment.
The study found 218 crypto influencers, and classified them into eight types of archetypes. Here they are.
Bitcoin Maximalists
These are the hardcore fans of Bitcoin who believe it is the best and only cryptocurrency that matters. They often criticise and dismiss other cryptocurrencies and technologies, and promote Bitcoin as the ultimate solution for the future of money and society.
Bitcoin Maxis tend to use a lot of technical and financial terms, and express strong emotions and opinions. An example of a Bitcoin Maximalist is Tone Vays, a former Wall Street trader and Bitcoin analyst.
Crypto All-Stars
These are the celebrities and leaders of the crypto world who have a lot of fame and influence in the industry and beyond. They are often the founders or developers of popular cryptocurrencies or platforms, and they have a lot of knowledge and expertise. They usually talk about the latest news and trends in the crypto space, and share their visions and predictions. An example of a Crypto All-Star is Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin.
Millionaire Magnets
These are the rich and famous people who have a lot of followers and influence on Twitter, but who are not necessarily experts or enthusiasts of Bitcoin or crypto. They often talk about Bitcoin or crypto as a way of making money or investing, and they can have a huge impact on the market with their tweets.
Millionaire Magnets tend to use a lot of humour and sarcasm, and sometimes troll or provoke other people. An example of a Millionaire Magnet is Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who has been known to cause price swings in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with his tweets.
Engagement Gurus
These are the people who have a lot of followers and engagement on Twitter, and who use various strategies and techniques to attract and interact with their audience.
Engagement gurus often post informative and educational content about Bitcoin and crypto, and provide tips and advice. They also use a lot of questions, polls, quizzes, and giveaways to stimulate participation and feedback.
An example of an Engagement Guru is Lark Davis, a crypto investor and educator who posts daily videos and podcasts about Bitcoin and crypto.
Bitcoin Conversationalists
These are the people who have a lot of conversations and discussions on Twitter, and who use the platform as a way of connecting and networking with other people. They often reply to other people’s tweets, and join or start threads and debates about Bitcoin and crypto.
Bitcoin Conversationalists tend to use a lot of personal and social terms, and express their feelings and experiences. An example of a Bitcoin Conversationalist is Tiffany Hayden, a former supporter of XRP, another cryptocurrency, who switched to Bitcoin and became an active member of the community.
Bitcoin influencer: Persistent Pundits
These are the people who have been around for a long time on Twitter, and who have a lot of experience and credibility in the Bitcoin and crypto world. They often post insightful and analytical content about Bitcoin and crypto, and provide commentary and opinions on various topics and issues.
Persistent Pundits tend to use a lot of power and achievement terms, and express their confidence and authority. An example of a Persistent Pundit is Elizabeth Stark, the co-founder and CEO of Lightning Labs, a company that develops a technology to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper.
Bitcoin influencer: Incognito Influencers
These are the people who use anonymous or pseudonymous accounts on Twitter, and who do not reveal their real identity or background. They often post mysterious and intriguing content about Bitcoin and crypto, and sometimes leak or reveal information that others do not know. They tend to use a lot of cognitive and perceptual terms, and express their curiosity and creativity.
An example of an Incognito Influencer is PlanB, the creator of the stock-to-flow model, a popular method of predicting the price of Bitcoin based on its scarcity and demand.
Bitcoin influencer: Confrontational Conversationalists
These are the people who are critical or sceptical of Bitcoin and crypto, and who use Twitter as a platform to challenge and oppose the views and beliefs of the crypto community. They often post controversial and provocative content about Bitcoin and crypto, and argue or debate with other people.
Confrontational Conversationalists tend to use a lot of negative and emotional terms, and express their anger and frustration. An example of a Confrontational Conversationalist is Peter Schiff, a gold investor and Bitcoin critic who often bashes Bitcoin and its supporters.
So what kind of influencer are you?
