An industry historically dominated by men

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain have long been a male-dominated field. From passionate young geeks to investors drawn by the promises of profit from a new economic ecosystem, the profile of crypto players is quite stereotypical. The industry is often populated with engineers, developers, and men from the traditional financial sector, positions unequivocally marked by a very strong male presence.

Crypto companies becoming increasingly feminine

But today, this landscape is being reshaped. They are developers or company leaders, and they are gradually seizing a share of the industry. This is evidenced by a recent survey by Forex. Entitled Crypto Diversity, the study surveys the diversity of leaders in crypto companies, based on a panel of major businesses active in cryptocurrencies.

It is Chainalysis, a specialist in on-chain analysis, that is seen as a model student, with almost 50% women on its board. However, StarkWare takes the crown for having the highest number of women in its board of directors. The firm, which works on cryptographic zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) solutions, stands out with 21 women within its decision-making body.

Still no female CEOs

However, despite these encouraging results, the glass ceiling still seems to be firmly in place. Of the 30 companies studied, 100% are still led by men. Proof that there is still room for diversity in a sector that nevertheless likes to display a certain openness. In this respect, crypto companies do not really stand out from traditional financial conglomerates.

France is no exception to the rule, although it is becoming less rare to see women in decision-making positions. This is the case with Stéphanie Cabossioras, who took the helm of Binance France in 2023. A role she did not hold for long: after resigning in October 2023, she is accused of conflicts of interest with her former position as an executive of the AMF.

Other women, less known to the general public, have played a major role in the development of French companies. This is the case with Vanessa Fara Rabesandrana, co-founder of Ledger, active in the development of several FinTechs. However, it is the United States where the greatest diversity is observed right now.

The most influential women in 2023:

• Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK: As the CEO and investment manager of ARK, Wood has played a significant role in the recent bear market. With her strategic vision, she has ensured the continuity of one of the flagship companies of decentralized finance.
• Tiffany Fong, content creator: She received her first bitcoins as a Christmas gift in 2011. In 2023, she made headlines during the FTX case when the fallen CEO Sam Bankman Fried shared some revelations over the phone with her. Among the topics discussed was FTX’s role in financing the Republican party. A publicized conversation that helped advance the investigation into one of the biggest scandals in recent years.
• Hester Peirce, Commissioner at the SEC: She has expressed her disagreement with Gary Gensler’s policy, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, regarding Bitcoin ETFs. According to her, the SEC should support the development of crypto-assets, rather than slowing down innovation in the USA with poorly defined regulations. A stance that endears her to crypto enthusiasts.
• Elizabeth Stark, activist and co-founder of Lightning Labs: She currently manages one of the most important projects to make BTC an everyday currency. A committed activist for digital freedoms for 20 years, she aims to realize Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision: to create a decentralized peer-to-peer currency via Lightning Network.

Conclusion

While cryptocurrencies still attract predominantly men, the sector is becoming more and more diverse. A reality that is still far from true gender parity. Because despite the inclusive values flaunted by the ecosystem, a glass ceiling remains for women’s access to key positions. Will the year 2024 change the game?

Martin

Fasciné par l’histoire du Bitcoin et le mouvement cypherpunk, je pense que les citoyens doivent réinvestir le champ de la monnaie. Mon but ? Démocratiser et rendre visible le potentiel de la blockchain et des cryptomonnaies.

Les propos et opinions exprimés dans cet article n’engagent que leur auteur, et ne doivent pas être considérés comme des conseils en investissement. Effectuez vos propres recherches avant toute décision d’investissement.