Ladies of Ledger
Women in Crypto Event – Speakers Confirmed
As our second Women in Crypto event and our speakers are confirmed, we wanted to take this opportunity to shed some light on what it looks like to be a woman in the industry. This was the rationale behind setting up this initiative in the first place, and while our Women in Crypto events aim at bringing together and celebrating women working in different industries (be it Finance, AI or Big Tech), it is relevant to shed light on the peculiarity of the DeFi experience for women. Reminder to save the date:
DURLSTON PARTNERS Women in Crypto vol. II
26th of April 2023, starting at 5:30 pm
To register your interest, please email events@durlstonpartners.com and you will receive your RSVP invite.
Ladies of Ledger: The Future of Crypto
The world of DeFi has exploded in popularity in recent years, with many investors and companies rushing to get in on the action. However, one issue that has been increasingly brought to the forefront of the discussion is the underrepresentation of women in the industry. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, as it not only perpetuates gender inequality but also deprives the industry of valuable perspectives and talent.
Let’s talk about the Data
The world of DeFi finds itself at the peculiar intersection of a number of industries that have traditionally seen some of the scarcest female representation – finance, tech and crypto. The numbers are stark: a 2020 survey conducted by CoinMarketCap found that only 12.7% of the crypto industry’s workforce was made up of women. In the United States, women comprise just 24% of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce. This is in stark contrast to the general population, where women comprise just over half of the population. CoinDesk in 2018 discovered only 5.3% of software developers working in the cryptocurrency industry identified as female.
These figures suggest that there is a significant gender gap in the crypto industry, which could potentially hinder its growth and development.
There are a few reasons why women are underrepresented in the crypto industry. One reason is that the tech industry in general is seen as a male-dominated field. This can make it difficult for women to break into the field, and may also make them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable once they do. Additionally, there may be unconscious biases at play, where women are not given the same opportunities or are not taken as seriously as their male counterparts.
Another reason for the underrepresentation of women in the crypto industry is the lack of female role models. When young women do not see other women in positions of power or success in the industry, it can be discouraging and may lead them to pursue other career paths. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle that perpetuates gender inequality in the industry.
But why does it matter?
The underrepresentation of women in the crypto industry is a problem that needs to be addressed for a number of reasons. Firstly, diversity is important for the success and growth of any industry. When there is a lack of diversity, there is a risk of groupthink and a lack of innovation. Women bring different perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to more creative solutions and better outcomes.
Secondly, addressing the gender gap in the crypto industry is important for promoting gender equality more broadly. When women are excluded from certain industries or professions, it perpetuates the idea that women are not as capable or valuable as men. This is a harmful and outdated notion that needs to be challenged at every turn.
Finally, addressing the underrepresentation of women in the crypto industry is simply the right thing to do. Women deserve equal opportunities and the chance to pursue their passions and interests, regardless of their gender. By creating a more inclusive and diverse industry, we can help to create a better world for everyone.
In conclusion, the underrepresentation of women in the crypto industry is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. By promoting diversity and inclusivity, we can create a stronger, more innovative, and more equitable industry. Women have a valuable perspective and a lot to offer to the crypto industry, and it’s time for the industry to recognise this and take action to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for women.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
So, where do we go from here? Thankfully, there are a number of brilliant women making waves in the industry that can serve as role models and be the representation we so desperately need more of in order to balance out this disparity.
- Amber Baldet – Baldet is a former executive at JPMorgan Chase & Co. who left to start her own blockchain firm, Clovyr. She is known for her work on Quorum, an enterprise blockchain platform developed by JPMorgan, and has been recognized as a leading voice in the crypto industry.
- Elizabeth Stark – Stark is the co-founder and CEO of Lightning Labs, a company that is working to improve the scalability and speed of Bitcoin transactions using a layer 2 solution called the Lightning Network. She has been a prominent figure in the Bitcoin community for years and is known for her work on open-source software and decentralised technology.
- Meltem Demirors – Demirors is the Chief Strategy Officer of CoinShares, a digital asset investment firm. She is a recognized thought leader in the crypto industry and has been a vocal advocate for the use of digital assets as a tool for financial empowerment and inclusion.
- Perianne Boring – Boring is the founder and president of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a Washington, D.C.- based trade association that represents the blockchain and digital asset industry. She is known for her work in advocating for the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and has testified before the U.S. Congress on the topic.
- Cathie Wood – Wood is the founder and CEO of ARK Investment Management LLC, an investment management firm that focuses on disruptive innovation. While not exclusively a crypto-focused company, Ark Invest has been actively investing in the crypto industry and has become known for its bullish outlook on Bitcoin and other digital assets.
- Lavinia Osbourne – Osbourne is the co-founder of WiBT Women in Blockchain Talks, an organisation that aims to increase diversity and inclusion in the blockchain industry. She is also a senior marketing executive at Blockchain.com and has been a vocal advocate for the adoption of blockchain technology.
Ultimately, while the lack of gender diversity in the crypto industry is a significant issue, we can take inspiration from the successes of women in crypto to increase representation and create a more inclusive and diverse industry. Greater diversity benefits everyone, as it brings a wider range of perspectives and experiences to the table, leading to better decision-making, more innovative ideas, and ultimately, better products and services for all.
By recognising the achievements of women in crypto and actively working to increase their representation in the industry, we can build a more equitable, thriving, and innovative crypto ecosystem. If you want to join us in doing so, please reach out on LinkedIn, or email events@durlstonpartners.com for an RSVP invite to our Women in Crypto event.
📅 This Week in Crypto 📅
With its partial autonomy, the island city of Hong Kong has traditionally served as “a gate to China” — the local trade centre, backed by transparent English-style common law and an openly pro-business government strategy. Could the harbour, home to seven million inhabitants, inherit this role in relation to the crypto industry, becoming a proxy for mainland China’s experiments with crypto? Arthur Hayes, the former CEO of crypto derivatives giant BitMEX, believes the Hong Kong government’s announcement about introducing a bill to regulate crypto to be a sign that China is trying to ease its way back into the market.
2023 started on a bullish note for the entire crypto market, including the DeFi ecosystem, with most of the tokens posting double-digit gains in January and recording multi-month highs. Aside from the bull rally, January also saw a 93% year-on-year decline in losses from DeFi exploits and hacks.
Recent research conducted by DECTA brought to light the significance of integrated financial elements in the modern world of fintech. According to the findings of the survey, some significant drivers for a seamless customer experience are the increasing use of online purchasing and digital payment methods.