15 May 2025

Tim Draper: Incorrigible Optimist

Timothy Cook Draper is one of those people who were born with a silver spoon. He is the descendant of a wealthy Silicon Valley investors dynasty and one of the main investors in Tezos.

On this page

Tim Draper is 64 years old. His father, William Henry Draper III, was a longtime chairman of the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM), and his grandfather, William Henry Draper II, founded one of the first venture capital firms, Draper, Gaither & Anderson. Tim's great-grandfather, Henry Draper Jr., was one of the advisors at the New York Stock Exchange.

But Tim's daughter went against the tide: Jessica Draper is an actress and TV host. We can assume that the hopes of the family will now be focused on future grandchildren.

Draper's pre-digital background is similar to that of any major US venture capitalist:

  • Stanford University
  • Harvard Business School
  • Bank career
  • Third (and then second) partner at the venture firm
  • Investments in technological projects.

Most likely, everything would’ve continued as usual, unless in 2014 Draper bought some auctioned BTC seized from the Silk Road founders.

Tim Draper and the digital future

Cryptocurrency in a personal wallet undoubtedly has a strange effect on even the most conservative financiers.

Already in 2015, Draper shocked his relatives and colleagues when he bet $400,000 that BTC would rise after a recent fall. This move was unprecedented for a dynasty of economists.

But Tim's bet won, and he got a really good ROI.

By the way, Draper has made hundreds of venture investments in companies such as Tesla, Apple, SpaceX, Twitch and Skype, but he earned most of his capital on cryptocurrencies.

Silicon Valley Living Legend Source: draperuniversity

Silicon Valley Living Legend Source: draperuniversity

Draper's wealth, based on investments, businesses, and financial assets, is about $1.5 billion. At the same time, a billion of that money came from successful investments in crypto projects: Tezos, Ledger, Robinhood, and Coinbase.

Draper is an optimist. In June 2022, he stated that cryptocurrencies would multiply their market cap tenfold by the end of 2023. And Bitcoin will cost about a quarter of a million dollars. Amid the recent events in the crypto markets, even the most notorious crypto enthusiasts are skeptical about such predictions. But Tim keeps true to his word and does not lose heart.

At the same time, it is very important to remember that all Tim's predictions are made with an eye on the money invested in the crypto business. He has a vested interest in fueling the hopes of the digital community for a bullish era. Therefore, experienced traders say:

If Draper predicts growth, then it's time to prepare buckets and buy the dip.

Tim Draper’s quotes

I grew up in the Silicon Valley when it was a bunch of apricot groves, and now it's this center of incredible activity. So I have this sense of what technology has done for this region, and I want to spread it to the world.

Government is the only industry in which we don't have a choice. If you live somewhere, you belong to that government. So we get bad service for high prices. This doesn't have to be.

Bitcoin will start being recognized as an inflation hedge,” he says. “I remember my Dad giving me $1,000,000 Confederate dollars. I said ‘How much is this worth?’ and he started laughing … ‘it’s not worth anything’.

I invest in the future I want to see. I believe in decentralizing everything that can be decentralized. Bitcoin and blockchain offer the possibility of decentralization. Also, I support missionaries, not mercenaries. I support entrepreneurs who are so determined that it has become their reason for living.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author
21Shares Partners With Sui To Expand Institutional Blockchain Adoption

21Shares Partners With Sui To Expand Institutional Blockchain Adoption

21Shares and Sui teamed up to make it easier for institutions to access blockchain-based products and services through joint products, research, and other incentives.

Anahit Avetisyan
Nebraska Passes Bill Requiring Bitcoin Miners to Pay for Grid Upgrades

Nebraska Passes Bill Requiring Bitcoin Miners to Pay for Grid Upgrades

Nebraska has passed LB 526, a new law set to regulate Bitcoin mining. The bill introduces mandatory notifications, infrastructure fees, and allows authorities to disconnect mining farms from the power grid.

Vlad Vovk
Ethereum Foundation’s New Security Initiative Targets Mass Adoption

Ethereum Foundation’s New Security Initiative Targets Mass Adoption

The Ethereum Foundation announced the Trillion Dollar Security initiative (1TS) to improve security and bring trillions of dollars on-chain.

Anahit Avetisyan
Yuga Labs Transfers CryptoPunks IP to Infinite Node Foundation

Yuga Labs Transfers CryptoPunks IP to Infinite Node Foundation

The IP behind the CryptoPunks collection has been transferred to the Infinite Node Foundation. The nonprofit will steward the project with a $25 million endowment and a newly formed advisory board.

Dmytro Psevdonimenko
Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Ripple’s Monica Long isn’t chasing headlines—she’s quietly building crypto’s future. From payments to tokenization, here’s how she’s reshaping finance from the inside.

Elina Moskovchuk
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

The biggest mystery in today’s Twitter/X recap is Zerebro dev Jeffy Yu, who claimed to take his life on a Pump.fun stream – but later said he faked the video to stop harassment.

Anahit Avetisyan
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

DOJ prosecutors reportedly suppressed key evidence in the Samourai Wallet case. Crypto lawyer Zack Shapiro shared the defense team’s hearing request on X.

Anahit Avetisyan
How to Buy New Crypto Before Listing: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Buy New Crypto Before Listing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buying a cryptocurrency before it’s listed publicly has become one of the most talked-about strategies in the space, offering the potential for major upside—if done carefully.

The Coinomist
The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

Most Web3 projects don’t collapse—they just stop being talked about. What makes one protocol a star and another a ghost? And why, in crypto, silence might signal transformation rather than failure?

Vlad Vovk
Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Are spiritual habits the missing link in trading psychology? For many, mindfulness and reflection offer a buffer against stress, reduce snap decisions, and aid in staying grounded through market volatility.

Vlad Vovk
How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

Think blockchain is private? Wallets have no names and transfers seem untraceable — but that’s misleading. Discover how experts uncover wallet owners and link identities to transactions.

Vlad Vovk
The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

A wave of regulation is sweeping the crypto world in 2025. From Washington to Brussels to Singapore, governments are setting new ground rules. What’s at stake for crypto’s next chapter?

Daryna Nesterenko
Blockchain-Based Distribution Platforms: Taking Control of Your Film’s Future

Blockchain-Based Distribution Platforms: Taking Control of Your Film’s Future

Blockchain lets filmmakers skip middlemen, control distribution, and get paid fairly. Director Markus Müller-Hahnefeld shares how it works.

Sebastian Scheplitz
Bitcoin Stagnates as Ethereum Takes the Lead

Bitcoin Stagnates as Ethereum Takes the Lead

With Bitcoin stuck in a sideways trend, Ethereum’s impressive 30% gain places it well ahead of most of the market, raising hopes for a full-fledged altcoin rally.

Anton Kryshtal
Correction or Pause? Bitcoin Steadies Above $100K After Overheating

Correction or Pause? Bitcoin Steadies Above $100K After Overheating

BTC has pulled back from $105,000 but still holds above $100,000. Profit-taking, liquidations, and declining leverage weigh on prices, while record ETF inflows and Coinbase’s addition to the S&P 500 offer support.

Vlad Vovk
MORE
Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

You can now earn crypto tokens for your most routine daily habits — shopping, working out, or grabbing breakfast at a café. But how does it actually work?

Yara Zornell
Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Malta attracts crypto companies from around the world — flexible regulation, low taxes, and a prestigious European jurisdiction have turned the small city of Valletta into a land of opportunity.

Iaroslava Kramarenko
MORE