Jesse Powell is an American entrepreneur best known for co-founding and having been the CEO of Kraken, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Here's a detailed look at his profile:

### Early Life and Education:

- **Born**: In Sacramento, California, in 1979.

- **Education**: Powell attended California State University, Sacramento, where he majored in Philosophy with a concentration in Law and Ethics. He did not complete his degree.

### Career:

- **Before Kraken**:

- Founded **Lewt, Inc.** in 2001, which provided services for virtual worlds and MMORPGs, including account management, in-game currency, and power leveling.

- Worked as a consultant for **Mt. Gox**, the first major Bitcoin exchange, to help resolve a security issue. This experience influenced his decision to start Kraken.

- **Kraken**:

- **Co-founder and Former CEO**: Along with Thanh Luu and Michael Gronager, Powell founded Kraken in 2011. He served as CEO until September 2022, when he transitioned to the role of Chairman of the Board.

- Under his leadership, Kraken grew to become one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges, offering trading in Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and many other digital assets. Kraken was also known for its focus on security and compliance.

- **Controversies**: Powell has been at the center of various controversies:

- **Culture Wars**: In 2022, he was embroiled in a public dispute with employees over workplace culture, including discussions on gender pronouns, race, and free speech, which led to internal strife and public scrutiny.

- **FBI Investigation**: In 2023, the FBI searched Powell's home as part of an investigation into allegations of hacking and cyberstalking related to his involvement with a nonprofit arts group, Verge Center for the Arts, which he co-founded. Powell has denied any wrongdoing.

- **Other Ventures**:

- Co-founded **Verge Gallery & Studio Project** in Sacramento, later becoming the Verge Center for the Arts, where he was a board member until he was removed in 2023 amid disputes.

### Public Persona:

- **Advocacy**: Powell is outspoken about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency's potential, often advocating for financial privacy, anti-regulation stances, and the libertarian ethos of the crypto industry.

- **Media Presence**: He has given numerous interviews and talks, and has been a vocal figure in the crypto space regarding regulatory issues, particularly with New York's BitLicense.

### Net Worth:

- Estimated to be between $500 million to $1 billion, primarily from his stake in Kraken and early investments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

### Current Role:

- **Chairman of Kraken**: After stepping down as CEO, Powell remains involved with Kraken as the Chairman of the Board, focusing on product development and industry advocacy.

Jesse Powell's impact on the cryptocurrency industry is significant, particularly through Kraken's growth and his public stances on crypto policy and culture. However, his tenure has not been without controversy, which has shaped his public image in the crypto community.