This is the Agenda for Women in Tech for the Decade: Will Gen Z Women Take Charge of the Crypto Finance Sector?
May 8, 2025
The technology sector is evolving, and crypto asset emerges as the new frontier where women, particularly those from Gen Z, are becoming more prominent. As distributed ledger technology advances, a new wave of women is entering the arena, breaking through the traditional male-centric culture of developers, traders, and investors. This shift signifies new innovation, increased inclusivity, and a reimagining of financial leadership. However, there is still much progress needed to achieve a significant change for women in the crypto realm.
During the Blockchain Baddies side event at Token2049 in Dubai, women from across the globe convened to share their experiences in Web3 and explore the future of female involvement in crypto. Interviews conducted by Cointelegraph highlighted a common theme: simplifying the technical aspects of crypto and fostering safer learning environments are crucial for attracting more women to the industry.
Caroline York, marketing director at the Web3 company Serotonin, indicated that clarity is essential. “In order to draw more women in, we need to make the information significantly more accessible,” she stated. York pointed out that women tend to excel in trusting environments, learning most effectively from peers and colleagues. Community-driven educational programs such as SheFi play an important role in this aspect.
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Women Who Are Already Influencing Crypto
In recent years, numerous influential women have established a significant presence within the crypto and Web3 landscape. Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest, has emerged as one of the most vocal institutional advocates for BTC and DeFi. She has consistently advocated for wider adoption and made daring investment predictions that have helped incorporate crypto into mainstream financial discussions.
Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie Investments and leader of SOL Strategies, which topped the Canadian Securities Trading network in 2024, stands out as well. Her pioneering leadership and early adoption of digital assets have been critical in connecting traditional finance with decentralized platforms.
On the development front, Elizabeth Stark, co-founder of Lightning Labs, is recognized for her contributions to making Bitcoin more efficient and scalable through the Lightning Protocol. In addition, Aya Miyaguchi, executive director at the Ethereum Foundation, has been influential in shaping Ethereum’s global development and educational strategies, fostering a decentralized future grounded in strong ethical principles.
Women of Gen Z, who grew up in the era of digital culture and social media, are now stepping into this arena with an innate understanding of technology and a natural skill in online identity, branding, and community building—factors vital to crypto success.
Obstacles Facing Women in Crypto: Hostility Towards Women in the Field
Despite recent advancements, women are still significantly underrepresented in the world of crypto finance. A recent BCG report revealed that less than 10% of crypto founders and core developers are women. Ongoing challenges, including limited capital access, exclusion from developer networks, and entrenched cultural biases, continue to impede progress. Many women also encounter a hostile environment when attempting to enter or contribute to the crypto industry.
Harboring animosity towards women in crypto is one of the most cringeworthy, fragile-ego behaviors imaginable
Some of you are so tragically passionate
— voh (@vohvohh) May 7, 2025
Crypto, like the tech industry at large, was designed with open access in mind. However, this ideal frequently clashes with reality. Many women still perceive crypto environments as hostile and often misogynistic. When technical challenges are compounded by a generally unwelcoming atmosphere, attracting genuinely interested newcomers to the Web3 space becomes difficult.
Despite these challenges, women from this generation are digital-native, entrepreneurial, and socially conscious. With the right resources and base level, they are uniquely equipped to spearhead the next phase of crypto innovation as both participants and creators.
The rise of initiatives like SOL Strategies, led by Leah Wald, signifies a larger shift: finance is no longer confined to Wall Street gatekeepers. As decentralized platforms expand and gender-inclusive educational opportunities become more widespread, women from diverse backgrounds can step into leadership positions within crypto.
This decade could represent a pivotal moment. If the existing momentum persists, we may reflect on the 2020s not merely as the era of AI or blockchain but as the decade when women, primarily from Gen Z, secured their roles at the forefront of the technology and finance revolution.
Key Takeaways
- Women’s Representation in Crypto: Less than 10% of crypto founders and developers are women, indicating a long-standing gender imbalance in the field.
- Barriers to Progress: Hostility, restricted access to capital, and exclusion from technical communities hinder women’s advancement in Web3.
- Importance of Education and Community: Initiatives like SheFi and events like Distributed ledger Baddies play a vital role in demystifying crypto and providing secure learning environments for women.
- Potential of Gen Z: With their digital fluency and social awareness, Gen Z women are poised to propel the next wave of crypto innovation, provided they are met with a supportive environment.
The article This is the Decade of Women in Tech Agenda: Will Gen Z Women Lead the Crypto Finance Industry? was first published on 99Bitcoins.
