Mysterious crypto boss and handy AI developer: who are the newcomers in the FTSE 100?

The Fortune 500 list was recently altered, featuring notable newcomers in the technology sector: cryptocurrency mogul Jean-Louis van der Velde and AI developer Pim de Witte. Van der Velde is estimated to have a wealth of 26 billion euros, primarily derived from cryptocurrencies, having founded Tether, the world's first stablecoin. He has led a private existence and has reportedly never appeared in public view, though he was discussed by a journalist who noted his self-description as 'the man who does not exist.' De Witte is the youngest billionaire, aged 31, who founded the AI company General Intuition. His company utilizes data from Medal.tv, a platform where gamers share game images and data, which provides insight into simulated world behavior. De Witte demonstrated an ability to self-teach programming and previously built infrastructure like MapSwipe for humanitarian aid, focusing on data-driven solutions for challenges like Ebola.

The narrative juxtaposes extreme forms of wealth accumulation and technological focus—the near-invisibility of the crypto titan versus the public-facing, yet deeply technical, trajectory of the AI entrepreneur. Van der Velde’s story involves a deliberate withdrawal from public life, emphasizing detachment from conventional financial displays, while De Witte’s journey highlights leveraging novel data sets for massive impact, whether in gaming analytics or humanitarian logistics. The contrast between these two figures prompts examination of what constitutes 'value' and 'visibility' in the modern economy. Van der Velde's apparent non-existence contrasts with his established digital infrastructure (Tether), suggesting that true influence can exist outside conventional visibility. De Witte’s approach—using raw, emergent data from simulated environments—challenges traditional methods of accumulating value by focusing on novel behavioral insights rather than established assets. This structure invites reflection on whether the metrics used for ranking success genuinely reflect human agency or merely align with existing structures of authority. The inherent tension lies in how society values the public persona versus the underlying, often unseen, mechanisms driving wealth and innovation.