Happy International Women’s Day! Leaders share their experiences in crypto

The theme of International Women’s Day this year is #BreakTheBias, so Cointelegraph spoke to 10 leaders in the blockchain industry about their experiences as women on Web3 and gathered their advice. From discussing barriers to entry to unbreakable tokens and role models, the following comments are from women in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

When asked what are the current barriers to entry that women can face when considering careers in crypto, Dr. Cagla Gul Senkardes, co-founder of the Istanbul Blockchain Women Association and a lecturer at Istanbul Bilgi University, completely replied “bias “.

Speaking from a more academic point of view, Senkardes sees sexual bias and culturally constructed ideologies in the context of cryptofeminism, the concept of having to choose between adhering to usual expectations for women and cutting new paths within crypto, doing neither or both.

“The masculine construction of technical language and symbolism brings inclusiveness to a point far removed from competence and ability. From this point of view, it would be fair to discuss the cryptofeminism debate against male-dominated culture in crypto.”

Jackie Rose, Head of Institutional Business Development at Blockchain.com, shared a similar feeling about confusing “language” or buzz words like “mememon” or “Web3” that sound aptly cryptic and may prevent anyone from further investigation. Coming from a traditional financial background, Rose found that crypto is a more “welcome environment” where her female colleagues have become “valuable resources”.

“In the United States, where most people have access to traditional banking, crypto is often seen as more like gambling than investing. The space can also feel pretty scary from the outside looking in, things move so fast, a lot of language. new and confusing, and the way it is portrayed in the media is overwhelmingly negative. “

A more common response to possible barriers among the women interviewed was a lack of financial and technical education, specialized skills or the sometimes needed years of experience. Daniela Henao Moreno, COO of Defy Trends, a Miami-based women-led start-up, pointed out that there is even a lack of access to jobs because many jobs in crypto tend to be shared by Telegram or by word of mouth, rather than. posted to popular desktops and job boards.

Aurore Galves, co-founder of Leonod, a French development agency specializing in cryptography and distributed technologies, has brought up another issue: representation.

“Women, when they are present, serve more as a showcase to reassure investors and increase the trustworthiness of a project. It is more complex to legitimately assert yourself as an expert in this environment.”

Galves acknowledged that women are increasingly attending events and participating in more projects, but that both men and women “must have a voice” for the blockchain world to “find a balance.” When asked if she believed NFTs could be seen as a gateway for women to enter crypto, Galves responded that the NFT space is an “illusion-covered phenomenon”, warning that “discovering crypto assets through NFTs could be misleading “but still. could “become a source of innovation and value creation.”

Related: Bitcoin trading in France: Regulation, education and cash buying frustration

Someone with a more optimistic outlook on NFTs is Wengie, a musician and founder of the Nyan Heroes NFT game, who “has only had a positive experience so far” as a woman developing a blockchain game.

“A lot of projects are based on culture, art and creativity and it’s a space for creators to be rewarded for their work. I think more and more women are mastering their own financial education and learning about crypto from an investment standpoint as well.

Related: P2E game Nyan Heroes aims to save 1 billion shielded cats

Wengie added that as more women become well versed in NFTs and other crypto-indigenous concepts, women are likely to be taken more seriously and less likely to be objective. Similarly, Bineta Ngom, a Senegalese-based blockchain project manager also known as Mama Bitcoin on social media, considered NFTs as an investment vehicle. Ngom founded a Bitcoin fishing business because “she had nothing to lose.”

“NFTs could be of interest to women, especially in Africa, who are very active and always looking for ways to grow their money. They often invest in tontinesso why not NFTs and meanwhile they will learn about the world of crypto.

Cointelegraph also spoke with Fiorella Scantamburlo in Argentina, Communications Manager of POAP, the Protocol of Attendance, which makes digital badges representing events such as NFTs. Scantamburlo disclosed that since her work at POAP, she has “completely” believed in the power of NFTs, stating that they are a gateway for artists, content creators and collectors to enter the blockchain ecosystem. She also revealed that an NFT project she particularly likes is Bored Ape Yacht Club, because “they’ve reached a community that feels right at home.”

When asked what message she would like to share about her personal journey in a blockchain, Scantamburlo replied that crypto gives everyone the opportunity to “be the architects of our own future” and not have to wait for others to “write our story for us.”

Related: Ledger announces limited edition NFT-focused hardware wallet, partnership with POAP

According to Jassy Jackson, VP of Operations at WAX, who is “grateful” to work in crypto, a space she admitted “is a boys’ club”, will also “change the world on so many levels, from improving our planet to changing financial services.” and enhance gaming experiences. ” She also encourages others to identify the women in our lives who support and empower those around them.

“It’s important to understand the power and value of female energy in workplace culture and the yin-yang balance they bring to each organization, and the blockchain itself. Women need to be recognized, celebrated and recognized for the value they bring.”

Related: El Salvador’s Bitcoin wallet ships 4M users with a Netki partnership

Dawn Newton, COO and co-founder of digital identity provider Netki, did just that when asked what message she would like to share about her personal experience and yelled at a woman she admires. Newton credited Connie Galippi, Founder and CEO at the first nonprofit Bitcoin called BitGive, to help her “truly understand how Bitcoin could empower people and create meaningful change in the world.” After hearing Galippi talk about a fundraising project for a girls ’school in Africa in 2014, Newton was inspired to join BitGive’s Board of Directors and advise on the creation of the blockchain-based gift tracking system GiveTrack.

Newton also gave some advice to women who want to start crypto, recommending getting involved with the community either on social media or at local meetings, and stating that networking is “the key to getting into this industry!”