How Women Are Redefining the Crypto Space

For years, the cryptocurrency industry has been associated with the “crypto bro” stereotype, projecting a male-dominated image. However, that narrative is shifting 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 transitioned from simply owning crypto to actively shaping the industry and driving innovation and change. From leading prominent investment firms to creating platforms for education and community engagement, women in crypto are reinventing the space. Their contributions prove that crypto isn’t just for the ‘bros,’ it’s a space where anyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.

Cathie Wood

Cathie Wood, the founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of ARK Invest is a titan in the investment world. She is renowned for her bold bets on disruptive technologies, including cryptocurrency.

“Thematic portfolio manager for disruptive innovation, mom, economist, and women’s advocate,” her X bio reads.

Born in 1955 in Los Angeles, Wood graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in finance and economics. Her 40-year career began at Capital Group as an assistant economist. 

She then held major roles at Jennison Associates, AllianceBernstein, and Tupelo Capital Management, which she co-founded. In 2014, Wood founded ARK Invest to concentrate exclusively on disruptive innovation and to foster a ‘sharing economy’ model.

“We’re all about finding the next big thing. Those hewing to the benchmarks, which are backwards looking, are not about the future. They are about what has worked. We’re all about what is going to work,” Wood said.

ARK employs thematic investing and offers investment management services across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The firm provides various investment options, including ETFs, separately managed accounts for institutional and retail clients, US and international mutual funds, and an Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) fund.

Notably, Wood has achieved significant recognition for her work. In 2016, Market Media honored her with the “Women in Finance—Outstanding Contribution Award.” She was also featured in Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list in 2021.

The CEO has also made significant contributions to the community. In 2018, she established the Duddy Innovation Institute at Notre Dame Academy High School, designed to provide young women with an educational experience that pushes beyond conventional learning. The institute’s signature course is Disruptive Innovation.

Elizabeth Stark

Elizabeth Stark is the CEO and co-founder of Lightning Labs, a firm focused on Bitcoin’s (BTC) scalability. Born in 1981, Stark holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and a BA in International Business from Brown University. 

Her eclectic background includes human rights advocacy, teaching about peer-to-peer technology, the future of the internet, open-source software, online privacy, and much more at Stanford and Yale. Stark’s flagship achievement is the Lightning Network. It is a layer-two solution that enables faster, cheaper Bitcoin transactions. 

Launched in 2016 under her leadership at Lightning Labs, the network has revolutionized Bitcoin’s usability, supporting applications from micropayments to DeFi. According to CryptoRank data, the company has raised a total of $82.5 million from multiple funding rounds. 

“Discovering Bitcoin was eye-opening. I thought, we can finally have this native way to transact on the internet and enable creators to make money, to engage with fans, to have their community without intermediaries and middlemen who take these massive cuts,’” Stark stated in an interview.

Besides being the CEO, Stark has also actively contributed to the Bitcoin community. She has acted as an advisor for startups across various fields, from blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to artificial intelligence. Stark’s blend of legal, technical, and advocacy expertise makes her a role model for aspiring women in crypto.

Wendy O

Wendy O, known as CryptoWendyO, is a cryptocurrency educator, trader, and host of “The O Show.” She grew up financially disadvantaged and began her career in retail before transitioning 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 would allow her to spend quality time with her child.

Since 2018, she has been a full-time crypto entrepreneur, building a media presence across various platforms. Wendy focuses on making cryptocurrency accessible to beginners. 

This has earned her a large and engaged following 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 stuff simple. Because I think of myself back then: I didn’t think I was smart enough to work in tech or to work in crypto or to do anything outside of customer service. And I was wrong. Now I’m here to help the average person. I’m here to help the person who may not think that they’re smart enough or good enough to diversify and to explore other aspects [of finance] that could potentially change their life,” she revealed in an interview.

Despite encountering harassment, Wendy’s perseverance has made her a prominent figure in the industry. She has been featured in reputable publications like The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC.

The contributions of Cathie Wood, Elizabeth Stark, and Wendy O highlight the diverse ways women are shaping the future of crypto. However, this list is far from exhaustive. Many others are making their mark on the industry, redefining what it means to be a woman in crypto.