Laura Shin has made huge contributions to crypto through her work as a journalist, podcast host, and author. She has made blockchain and crypto technology clear to millions of people. Delivering honest and smart information through Unchained and Unconfirmed and her book The Cryptopians, Shin has gained a good reputation among those interested in crypto. Her ability to break down complicated ideas and ask really good questions has helped her become a well-known and respected person in the world of cryptocurrencies. It looks into Shin’s background, her notable scoops about crypto, what her net worth is, and the advice she offers shaping the industry.
A Pioneer in Crypto Journalism
In 2015, while working as a senior editor at Forbes, Shin started covering blockchain and crypto. She saw the potential for change in blockchain technology and became the first mainline journalist to cover it regularly, a decision that got her the 2016 Blockchain Award for Most Insightful Journalist. While at Forbes, she led the team that produced the Forbes Fintech 50 list and also profiled notable people in blockchain and fintech. In 2017, she announced she would be the senior editor for digital assets on Forbes X, a big step in her career.
In 2018, Shin set up Unchained Crypto, a media company that sends out straightforward content through podcasts, newsletters, and articles. On Unchained, she interviews the biggest names in crypto, and on Unconfirmed, she breaks down recent news in the industry. With so many people downloading and accessing her podcasts, they are now a key tool for both enthusiasts and professionals. Shin’s book, The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze (2022) explains what happened at the beginning of Ethereum, including the DAO hack in 2016, using ample and accurate research.
Crypto Scoops: Breaking News and Investigations
Shin’s journalistic work has won praise for how well it is researched and how much of a difference it has made. A major coup for her came when while researching The Cryptopians, she and her team identified the individual believed to be behind the DAO hack that took 3.6 million Ether. A new privacy-cracking computer tool allowed Shin to uncover a complicated chain of crypto transactions and solved a major puzzle in the industry. However, despite the alleged hacker’s claim to innocence, the journalist’s findings led to lots of discussion and highlighted her talent for investigation.
Shin’s work has regularly brought new developments to light. According to her, Binance.US executives were surprised by reports of a Trump family involvement in crypto, possibly causing conflict. Her report on the vote taken by Crypto.com to re-mint 70 billion CRO tokens made clear the struggles between how companies are run and how the community expects governance to work. Shin’s Unchained Daily covers larger issues as well, such as the turmoil over Solana’s “anti-woke” ad and the largely improved returns on tokenized treasuries. By showing the bigger picture behind these changes, she has further made her views known and respected.
Shin has invited leaders from the industry such as Coinbase’s Lawrence Zlatkin and Gauntlet’s Tarun Chitra, who talked about quantitative finance and crypto. A lot of the interviews show how biased opinions differ, for instance, on Alex Gladstein’s view of Bitcoin in relation to human rights and possible uses of cryptocurrencies by authoritarian regimes. Such talks influence the direction of the industry and give Shin an important presence in the crypto world.
Net Worth: Her Fame Grew from Writing and Journalism
Because Laura Shin prefers to keep her wealth private, it is hard to estimate, but multiple sources believe her net worth is between $1 million and $5 million this year. Most of her income is from media, book royalties, chargeable speeches, and different freelance tasks. Since she believes in journalistic integrity, Shin does not own much Bitcoin or Ether, unlike various other crypto influencers. An X post from 2025 said people should give Kathy props for not owning any cryptocurrencies, saying it showed she was honest and trustworthy with company money.
| Source of Income |
|
Estimated Value |
Details |
| Unchained Crypto |
|
Variable |
Revenue from podcasts, newsletters, sponsorships |
| Book Sales |
|
~$500K-$1M |
The Cryptopians and potential FTX book |
| Speaking Engagements |
|
~$10K-$50K per event |
TEDx, IMF, Oslo Freedom Forum |
| Freelance Writing |
|
Variable |
Forbes, Medium, other publications |
| Forbes Salary |
|
~$100K-$200K annually (past) |
Senior editor role until 2018 |
Shin makes money from Unchained by taking on sponsors such as Crypto.com and by selling subscriptions to her newsletter. While The Cryptopians has helped bring in some money, the author’s upcoming book about the FTX collapse could add significantly to her earnings. Appearing at TEDx San Francisco and the International Monetary Fund has made her even better known and brought her additional income. Working as a freelance writer helps her earn extra money through outlets The New York Times and Medium.
Expert Insights: Shaping Crypto’s Future
The knowledge she has about crypto comes from understanding its strengths as well as its weaknesses. She believes that in the future, networks without central leaders could replace today’s tech companies and banks, a belief she developed from talking to people in the industry. At a TEDx talk in 2018, she pointed out that crypto could open doors for individuals to be their own bosses. She discussed this again in her 2022 Arts Help interview, noting that crypto is helping move power from Silicon Valley outside of its control. At the same time, she points out the limitations by exposing cases of fraud linked to blockchain, along with issues in regulation and management.
Shin has pointed out the risks of volatility in the crypto world in her reports about the fast failures of FTX and Terra/Luna in 2022. She points out that even though crypto is meant to be independent, centralized forces can undo this idea, as shown by the FTX fraud. In 2025, her post on LinkedIn about Bitcoin’s worth led to a debate, as Shin pointed out that standard methods do not appreciate its value as a new form of money independent of banks. She is positive about what crypto can offer, but also cautious about the hype, which appeals to everyone, from experienced investors down to beginners.
The Road Ahead
Laura Shin is continuing to have an impact on crypto journalism through Unchained and her upcoming FTX book. Her dedication to reporting the truth and making her news easy to understand has made her stand out in the field. As the crypto industry continues to grow, Shin’s reports and comments will be key in steering people through the next stage of developments and problems.
FAQs
What makes Laura Shin a leading crypto journalist?
Shin was the first mainstream reporter to cover crypto full-time, delivering unbiased scoops like the DAO hack investigation through Unchained and The Cryptopians.
What is Laura Shin’s net worth?
Estimated at $1M-$5M, her wealth comes from Unchained revenue, book sales, speaking engagements, and freelance writing, with minimal crypto holdings.
What is The Cryptopians about?
Shin’s 2022 book chronicles Ethereum’s rise, the 2016 DAO hack, and the crypto craze, blending investigative journalism with insider stories.
How does Shin maintain journalistic integrity?
As a “nocoiner” with minimal Bitcoin/Ether holdings, Shin avoids conflicts of interest, earning praise for her unbiased reporting.
What are Shin’s key crypto predictions?
She envisions decentralized networks displacing tech giants and banks but warns of risks like scams and centralized failures, as seen in FTX’s collapse.
