Introduction
Tyler Howard Winklevoss and Cameron Howard Winklevoss, identical twin brothers born on August 21, 1981, in Southampton, New York, are American entrepreneurs, venture capitalists (Winklevoss Capital), and Olympic rowers. Known for their early involvement in Facebook's legal dispute and later success in cryptocurrency, they've become influential figures in tech and finance.
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Harvard University and Oxford University
- Co-founded the social network ConnectU in 2002 with Divya Narendra
Legal Battle with Facebook
In 2004, they sued Mark Zuckerberg, alleging he stole their idea for Facebook. The case settled in 2011 for $65 million. Their story was depicted in The Social Network (2010), with Armie Hammer playing both twins.
Olympic Rowing Career
- Competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics (6th place, men’s pair)
- Placed 9th at the 2009 World Rowing Championships (U.S. men’s eight)
Business Ventures
Winklevoss Capital (2012–Present)
Their VC firm invests in early-stage tech startups, emphasizing blockchain innovation.
Cryptocurrency Leadership
- 2013: Invested $11M in Bitcoin, later proposing a Bitcoin ETF
- 2015: Launched Gemini, a regulated crypto exchange
- 2018: Founded the Virtual Commodity Association for industry self-regulation
Metaverse Investment (2021)
Purchased virtual land in The Sandbox, signaling early interest in metaverse economies.
Recent Challenges
Gemini faced regulatory scrutiny and fraud allegations in 2023, testing the twins’ reputation.
FAQs
Q: How did the Winklevoss twins get rich?
A: Primarily through their Facebook settlement and strategic Bitcoin investments.
Q: What is Gemini?
A: A cryptocurrency exchange focused on regulatory compliance, launched in 2015.
Q: Are they still involved in rowing?
A: No—they retired after 2009 to focus on business.
Legacy
👉 Learn more about their crypto ventures
The Winklevoss twins exemplify the intersection of tech, finance, and sports, continually shaping digital currency landscapes.