For years, the cryptocurrency industry has been associated with the stereotype of “cryptobro,” projecting images dominated by men. But the story is changing as women actively challenge the status quo. According to the National Cryptocurrency Association, nearly one-third of US crypto holders are women.
In fact, many women have moved from simply owning crypto to actively shaping the industry and driving innovation and change. From leading prominent investment companies to creating platforms for education and community engagement, crypto women are reinventing the space. Their contributions prove that codes are not just “brothers,” but rather a space where anyone can thrive, regardless of gender.
Cathy Wood
Cathie Wood, founder, CEO and Chief Invest Officer of Ark Invest, is a Titan in the investment world. She is famous for her bold bets on destructive technologies, including cryptocurrencies.
“Theme Portfolio Manager for Destructive Innovation, Moms, Economists and Women’s Advocates,” reads her X Bio.
Born in Los Angeles in 1955, Wood graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in finance and economics. Her 40-year career began with the Capital Group as an assistant economist.
She then played major roles in Jennison Associates, Alliance Bernstein and Tupelo Capital Management. In 2014, Wood founded ARK Invest, focusing solely on disruptive innovation and promoting the “sharing economy” model.
“We’re about finding the next big thing. People who are perfectly backwards on the benchmark aren’t about the future. They’re about what’s working.
ARK employs theme investments and offers investment management services throughout North America, Asia, Australia and Europe. The company offers a range of investment options, including ETFs, in-house and retail clients, individually managed accounts for US and international mutual funds, and operations for collective investments in transferable securities (UCITS) funds.
In particular, Wood achieved great recognition for her work. In 2016, Market Media praised her with the “Finance in Finance -Out Standind Satending Comprivent Award.” She was also featured in 2021 on over 50 lists of Forbes ’50.
The CEO also makes a significant contribution to the community. In 2018, she founded the Duddy Innovation Institute at Notre Dame Academy High School. It is designed to provide young women with an educational experience that goes beyond traditional learning. The Institute’s Signature Course is a disruptive innovation.
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark is the CEO and co-founder of Lightning Labs, a company focused on Bitcoin (BTC) scalability. Born in 1981, Stark holds a Law Doctor of Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of International Business from Brown University.
Her eclectic backgrounds include teaching about human rights advocacy, peer-to-peer technology, the future of the Internet, open source software, online privacy and more. Stark’s flagship achievement is the Lightning Network. This is a Layer 2 solution that allows for faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions.
Launched in 2016 under Leadership at Lightning Labs, the network revolutionizes the ease of use of Bitcoin and supports applications ranging from micropayment to Defi. According to data from Cryptorank, the company has raised a total of $82.5 million from multiple funding rounds.
“It was eye-opening for Bitcoin. I thought I had this native way of trading online, allowing creators to make money, engaging with fans, having intermediaries and intermediaries that take these massive cuts,” Stark said in an interview.
In addition to being CEO, Stark is also an active contributor to the Bitcoin community. She has acted as an advisor to startups in a variety of fields, from blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence. Stark’s fusion of legal, technical and advocacy expertise makes her a role model for aspiring women in code.
Wendy
Wendy O, known as Cryptowendyo, is the host of Cryptocurrency Educator, Trader and “The O Show.” She grew up at a financially disadvantaged position and began her career in retail before moving to healthcare.
After seven years in the industry, Wendy decided to explore crypto trading. She was motivated by her desire for a more flexible schedule that allowed her to spend quality time with her children.
Since 2018, she has been a full-time crypto entrepreneur and has built a media presence on a variety of platforms. Wendy focuses on making cryptocurrency accessible to beginners.
This has led her to gain massive and enthusiastic followers across multiple platforms. She has around 245,000 subscribers on YouTube, 91,000 followers on Instagram, and 434,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter).
“I keep my own things simple. I was thinking about myself back then, so I didn’t think I was smart enough to work in technology, work in cryptography, do anything other than customer service. And now I’m here to help the average person.
Despite encountering harassment, Wendy’s perseverance made her a prominent figure in the industry. She has been featured in reputable publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC.
The contributions of Kathy Wood, Elizabeth Stark and Wendy highlight the diverse ways in which women are shaping the future of crypto. However, this list is not exhaustive. Many others have made their mark in the industry and are redefineing what it means to be a cryptography woman.
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