The tech world is shifting and crypto stands as the next frontier where women, especially Gen Z, are stepping up. As blockchain tech grows more sophisticated, a new generation of women enters the space. A push past the old male-dominated culture of developers, traders, and investors. This movement signals fresh innovation, greater inclusivity, and a redefinition of financial leadership. But there is still a long way to go before talking about a real shift for women in crypto.
At the Blockchain Baddies side event during Token2049 in Dubai, women from around the world gathered to share their journeys into Web3 and discuss the future of female participation in crypto. Interviews conducted by Cointelegraph revealed one consistent message: simplifying crypto’s technical concepts and creating safer learning environments are key to bringing more women into the fold.
Caroline York, marketing director at Web3 firm Serotonin, said clarity is foundational. “To attract more women, we’ve got to make the information much more digestible,” she explained. York emphasized that women often thrive in high-trust environments, learning best from peers and friends. Programs like SheFi, which offer community-led education, are critical in this regard.
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Some Of The Women Who Are Already Shaping Crypto
Over the past few years, several influential women have carved out serious space in the crypto and Web3 ecosystem. Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest, has been one of the most vocal institutional supporters of Bitcoin and decentralized finance. She’s consistently pushed for broader adoption and made bold investment calls that helped bring crypto into mainstream financial discourse.
Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie Investments and leader of SOL Strategies, the highest-performing stock on the Canadian Securities Exchange in 2024, is another standout. Her leadership and early embrace of digital assets have been pivotal in bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized platforms.
On the development side, Elizabeth Stark, co-founder of Lightning Labs, is known for her work in making Bitcoin faster and more scalable through the Lightning Network. Meanwhile, Aya Miyaguchi, executive director at the Ethereum Foundation, has helped shape Ethereum’s global development and education strategy, empowering a decentralized future with strong ethical foundations.
Gen Z women, raised on digital culture and social networks, are now entering this field with native fluency in tech and a natural grasp of online identity, branding, and community-building. Allare essential to crypto success.
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What’s Holding Women Back in Crypto? Hostility Sentiment Towards Women In Crypto
Despite recent progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in crypto finance. A recent BCG report revealed that fewer than 10% of crypto founders and core developers are women. Persistent barriers, like limited access to capital, exclusion from developer networks, and deep-rooted cultural biases still stand in the way. Many women also face a hostile environment when trying to enter or contribute to the crypto space.
Being hateful towards women in crypto is the most cringe, frail-ego coded shit you can do
Some of you are so passionately pathetic
— voh (@vohvohh) May 7, 2025
Crypto, like tech in general, was built with open access in mind. But that ideal often clashes with reality. Many women still find crypto spaces hostile and frequently misogynistic. When technical difficulties are coupled with a general hostile atmosphere, it’s hard to attract new people genuinely interested in the Web3 space.
Despite these obstacles, women from this generation are digital-native, entrepreneurial, and socially aware. With the right tools and support, they’re uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of crypto innovation as users and architects.
The emergence of projects like SOL Strategies under Leah Wald signals a broader trend: finance is no longer limited to Wall Street gatekeepers. As decentralized platforms grow and gender-inclusive education becomes more accessible, women from all backgrounds can step into leadership roles in crypto.
This decade could mark a turning point. If the current momentum continues, we may look back on the 2020s not just as the era of AI or blockchain but as the decade when women, mainly from Gen Z, claimed their place at the heart of the tech and finance revolution.
Key Takeaways
- Women in Crypto And Representation Gap: Less than 10% of crypto founders and developers are women, reflecting deep-rooted gender imbalance in the industry.
- Cultural and Structural Barriers: Hostility, lack of access to capital, and exclusion from technical networks limit women’s progress in Web3.
- Education and Community Matter: Initiatives like SheFi and events like Blockchain Baddies help simplify crypto and create safe learning spaces for women.
- Gen Z Potential: With digital fluency and social momentum, Gen Z women are poised to drive the next wave of crypto innovation. But women also need a less hostile enviroment.
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