Empowering women in crypto: challenges and progress in 2023

More women are investing, but few lead. Explore the industry’s efforts to bridge this gender divide.

The crypto landscape in 2023 presents a mixed picture. While men still dominate the scene, accounting for approximately 70% of cryptocurrency ownership, there is a rising wave of female participation. 

Women now represent 30% of crypto owners, marking a significant increase from past years. This shift is not just numerical; it’s geographical too. 

Across the globe, the engagement of women in crypto varies, with countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and the United States witnessing notable surges in female involvement.

However, this encouraging trend in ownership masks a persistent disparity in the industry’s power corridors. The gender gap in leadership roles within the crypto and blockchain sectors remains starkly evident.

An overwhelming 94% of CEO positions are held by men, leaving a scant 6% for women. This imbalance reflects broader societal challenges in achieving gender parity, as underscored by the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, which notes a general decline in women occupying leadership roles across various sectors.

Yet, there are glimmers of progress and inclusivity. Chainalysis, a leading player in the crypto space, stands out with 46% of its leadership roles filled by women, setting a benchmark for others in the industry.

To delve deeper into this topic and shed light on the experiences and insights of women in the crypto world, Crypto.news engaged in insightful conversations with industry leaders Gracy Chen, Managing Director of Bitget, and Mary Pedler, Founder of INPUT Communications.

A landscape of progress and challenges 

The journey of Pedler and Chen in the cryptocurrency sector highlights the complex and contrasting dynamics of female participation in this rapidly evolving industry. 

Pedler, with her success in communications and public relations, leads a team where women constitute an impressive 80%.

This composition not only speaks to the strength of women in empathy and crisis management but also stands as a hope for progress in gender representation.

However, this scenario is more of an exception than a norm in the broader landscape of the crypto industry.

Chen, on the other hand, draws attention to a pressing issue: the stark underrepresentation of women in crypto leadership roles. 

Despite an uptick in entry-level involvement by women, their presence diminishes dramatically in senior positions. The statistics are telling – less than 5% of cryptocurrency founders and fewer than 10% of fund partners are women. Chen said:

In my own professional journey, I’ve seen firsthand how this lack of representation can affect not just the course of individual careers but the trajectory of the industry itself. If we lack diversity in leadership, we miss out on a wider variety of new perspectives, ideas, and approaches, which are critical for innovation and growth.

Moreover, a startling fact highlights the severity of this imbalance: out of 378 venture-backed crypto companies founded between 2012 and 2018, only one boasted an all-female founding team. This figure starkly contrasts with the male-dominated workforce, which accounts for 95% of the industry. Chen further added:

I’ve also been on the receiving end of this: as I struggled to raise funding for my tech startup back then, I would sometimes face veiled and sometimes overt gender biases. While the industry purports to be a decentralized and equal system, these experiences expose a rather negative culture that still has a long way to go in terms of true inclusivity.

Such a comparison underscores a significant challenge facing the wider crypto industry – while some fields are making strides in balancing gender representation, the realm of cryptocurrency and blockchain continues to struggle with profound gender disparities, especially in leadership roles.

The possible solutions 

Addressing the underrepresentation of women in the cryptocurrency sector demands a multifaceted approach, one that recognizes and confronts a variety of obstacles. 

Chen’s observations underscore a critical area for improvement. She states that a key hurdle is the lack of gender-sensitive educational resources, a gap that leaves many women feeling unprepared to make informed investment decisions in crypto. 

While initiatives like Binance Charity’s donation of $2 million to fund over 36,000 web3 scholarships for women in 2022, continuing into 2023, are commendable, they represent only a fraction of what is needed. 

This effort, though significant, is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The goal of encouraging women to become savvy crypto investors transcends financial inclusion; it’s about empowering them with the resources necessary for professional development. 

Chen states further the importance of this issue in light of a recent study, which found that 27% of female crypto investors in the U.S. and Turkey utilize their investment returns to finance their children’s education, underscoring the broader societal implications of women’s active involvement in this arena.

Contrastingly, Pedler’s experiences in the UAE’s tech sector paint a more optimistic picture. There, an uptick in women’s participation in educational institutions signifies a positive shift in societal norms and perceptions. 

However, to truly overcome these challenges globally, a comprehensive strategy is needed.

Firstly, it’s crucial to acknowledge that women may approach financial decisions differently. Crypto firms investing in educational initiatives specifically tailored for women can lead to more informed and active participation in the sector. 

Secondly, venture capital firms need to self-reflect and address any inherent biases that hinder their investment in startups led by women. 

Lastly, fostering partnerships between crypto companies and educational organizations could be a pivotal strategy in dismantling the prevalent “bro culture”. Chen mentioned:

“As someone who has led various initiatives to boost women’s interest in STEM fields, I believe partnerships between crypto companies and educational organizations can be a linchpin in dismantling this ‘bro culture’.”

Empowering women globally through crypto initiatives

Chen spotlights the growing endeavors to leverage cryptocurrency as a tool for women’s empowerment, particularly in regions like Africa, where traditional financial systems often fail to serve women adequately. 

NGOs and blockchain companies are at the forefront of this movement, dedicating resources to educate and equip women with the financial and technical knowledge and skills needed to navigate the crypto space.

Tailored training programs and materials specifically designed for women play a significant role in this endeavor. Chen also sheds light on the emergence of decentralized finance (defi) projects, which are innovatively offering microloans and small-scale investment opportunities. She said:

“The increase in defi projects catering to microloans and small-scale investments is also worth noting. These can be instrumental for women who want to participate in the economy but lack access to traditional financial systems. So, the global crypto community is definitely on the right track; we just need to ramp up the pace.”

Further, Chen points to data-driven evidence that teams with diverse compositions not only excel in innovation but also yield higher financial returns. To harness these benefits, the crypto industry needs to take proactive steps. Chen concluded by saying:

One concrete step could be to establish internal diversity and inclusion committees with real decision-making power, tasked to review hiring policies and promote women into leadership positions. These committees should also be responsible for implementing mentorship programs and targeted leadership training that can prepare women for executive roles. Additionally, industry-wide consortiums or associations can drive the agenda further. These groups can set sector standards for diversity and inclusion, creating a competitive field that rewards companies for fair representation.

The essence of Chen’s and Pedler’s message is clear: the crypto industry, inherently rooted in principles of decentralization and disruption, is uniquely positioned to challenge traditional corporate structures.

The road ahead

The rise in female participation in crypto, now reaching 30%, marks a significant shift, yet the journey towards true gender equality in this domain is far from over. 

First and foremost, the industry must look beyond current initiatives and envision new ways to integrate women into the cryptocurrency narrative. This means moving past just educational programs and mentorship. It involves rethinking the very fabric of how the crypto industry operates and interacts with its diverse set of stakeholders. 

For instance, the development of platforms and cryptocurrencies that cater specifically to the needs and preferences of women could be a revolutionary step, offering tailored solutions that resonate with a wider audience.

Another key area is the creation of global networks and forums that connect women in crypto across the world. These platforms can serve as powerful hubs for sharing knowledge, experiences, and opportunities. 

By fostering a sense of community and solidarity, women can find stronger support systems and collaborative opportunities that might currently be lacking.

Additionally, the role of policy and regulation in shaping a more inclusive cryptocurrency ecosystem cannot be overlooked. Advocacy for policies that support and encourage female entrepreneurship and investment in the crypto space is crucial. 

This could involve lobbying for tax incentives for women-led crypto startups or pushing for more female representation in regulatory bodies that oversee the cryptocurrency market.

Finally, the crypto industry must embrace a narrative that highlights the successes and contributions of women in this field. By showcasing these stories, the industry can inspire more women to participate, invest, and lead in the crypto world. 

This is not just about creating role models but also about rewriting the perception of cryptocurrency as a male-dominated field.