Crypto News: The people who defined 2022

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Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Illustration by 731; photo: Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images

Happy holidays! Bret Begun here. With a war in Ukraine, a crypto meltdown and a "tripledemic" upon us, you might take a glance at the world and wonder: How could we possibly find 50 people whose 2022 accomplishments merit attention?

But that's what we did in our sixth annual Bloomberg 50 issue, which looks at the icons and innovators who shaped global business across industries—from finance to entertainment, and politics to science and technology. Tom Cruise? He's on the list. But so is Pinky Cole, Tom Oxley and Liane Randolph, and if you don't know who they are, well, now you have a reason to excuse yourself early from Aunt Jan's Christmas party.

Here are a few of the other people we've highlighted:

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, president of Ukraine: For 10 months, defiant in the face of what's seemed like overwhelming odds, Zelenskiy has led the resistance to Russia's invasion.
Randy Nonnenberg, CEO, Bring a Trailer Media LLC: His live online auction platform for classic and other collectible cars is expected to do $1.3 billion in sales this year, up about 57% from 2021.
Nan Ransohoff, head of climate, Stripe Inc.: In April, Ransohoff and her team announced a $925 million commitment from Big Tech and other companies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Kevin Warren, commissioner, Big Ten Conference: In August the Big Ten reached a seven-year contract with CBS, Fox and NBC that will pay the conference about $1.1 billion annually, the largest media deal for college athletics.
Olivia Julianna, director of politics and government affairs, Gen-Z for Change: The 20-year-old rallied her social media followers to raise more than $2 million to defend reproductive rights in one week this summer.

Plus many more, including the James Webb Space Telescope, which isn't a person, we realize, but let's not get technical. And because we don't put people on the Bloomberg 50 twice, we have a special section for alums of the list who made notable contributions this year—as well as our Ones to Watch group, the people who we think could make the Bloomberg 50 next year. You can also hear more about the most fascinating people in the world on The Big Take podcast.

Enjoy the issue. We look forward to hearing what you think. —Bret Begun, senior editor, Bloomberg Businessweek

"This week is our annual Bloomberg 50 issue."
"Am I on the list?"
"No, and please stop asking. You've literally asked six years in a row."
"Fine, fine. How do you put the issue together?"
"We survey Bloomberg reporters and editors around the world, do an unfathomable amount of emailing, and then narrow it down to the most noteworthy—"
"—icons and innovators shaping global business! Right?"
"Very good. But you're still not getting on the list."

Photographer: Joanna McClure for Bloomberg Businessweek. Prop Stylist: Anna Surbatovich. Source Photos: Getty Images (26); Photographs by Adam Golfer, Julia Johnson, Kelsey McClellan and Max Hemphill (2) for Bloomberg Businessweek

Kathy Bates in Misery. Photo: Everett Collection

Maybe you've noticed, but supporting stock and bond markets is definitely not the US central bank's top priority. Read "The Federal Reserve Doesn't Care About Your Misery" from Michael P. Regan.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's Bw Daily with Sonali Basak, and check out Businessweek for more! If this has been forwarded to you, click here to sign up!