At the end of 2025, the wealth landscape in Italy appears more prosperous and dynamic than ever. According to data from Forbes, the number of billionaires in the Belpaese has risen to 79, with total assets reaching USD 357.2 billion.
While the giants of traditional industry endure, we are witnessing a silent revolution led by the fintech sector and cryptocurrencies.
Here is an analysis of the top five Italian billionaires who dominate the rankings at the beginning of 2026.
1. Giovanni Ferrero: The undisputed king
At the top of the pyramid remains Giovanni Ferrero, with an estimated fortune of between 39.9 and 41.3 billion dollars. The heir to the Alba-based confectionary giant has transformed a family empire into a global war machine.
Under his leadership, the group has posted record sales ($18.4 billion) and completed ambitious acquisitions, such as that of Kellogg for $3.1 billion. Ferrero embodies the solidity of Made in Italy food that conquers the world.
2. Andrea Pignataro: the data strategist
In second place we find the most enigmatic figure in Italian finance: Andrea Pignataro. With assets of $36.9 billion, the founder of the Ion Group has built an empire based on data analysis and financial software.
Ex broker, Pignataro is a self-made man who has acquired national champions such as Cerved and Prelios. Despite a recent €280 million settlement with the Italian tax authorities, his influence on the country's banking and information system remains immense.
3. Giancarlo Devasini: the pioneer of cryptocurrencies
The real surprise of the ranking is Giancarlo Devasini, third with 22.4 billion dollars. A former plastic surgeon turned technology entrepreneur, Devasini is the mastermind behind Tether (USDT), the world's most widely used stablecoin.
His rise marks a breakthrough: for the first time, a billionaire linked to digital assets overtakes historical icons such as Giorgio Armani. Tether is not just a virtual asset; the company has posted record net profits (over 13 billion in 2024) and holds impressive physical reserves, including nearly 80 tonnes of gold.
4. Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone: the patriarch of bricks and mortar and finance
With assets of $9.8 billion, Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone occupies the fourth position. Founder of a conglomerate ranging from cement to publishing, Caltagirone is a major player on the Italian banking scene, with strategic stakes in Mediobanca, Generali and MPS. At 82 years of age, he represents the continuity of Roman capitalism and large diversified holdings.
5. Paolo Ardoino: will the stablecoin engineer buy Juventus?
Closing out the top 5 is Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, with $9.5 billion. Hailing from a small Ligurian village, Ardoino went from a career as a precarious researcher to the head of the hundreds of billions-capitalisation crypto platform.
Along with Devasini, Ardoino has brought Tether to the centre of sports and financial news, even going so far as to attempt to take over Juventus with a billion-dollar bid (rejected by Exor).
The most relevant fact of this ranking is the specific weight of the crypto sector. Two of the top five billionaires (Devasini and Ardoino) derive their wealth from Tether.
This sector, once considered marginal, now generates profits exceeding those of many historic multinationals. The stability of these fortunes remains a matter of debate among analysts, but the numbers for 2026 speak for themselves: the future of Italy's wealth is increasingly passing through digital wallets and decentralised finance.
