Many of you follow closely the meeting of policymakers in Davos during the annual World Economic Forum. Many of you have very strong opinions about these gatherings, which I share. Now, however, I’d like to discuss what inspired me most during those five days of the summit. This was my first Davos event, and I wasn’t able to notice how many female decision makers are, in stark contrast to similar crypto events happening in Dubai and Lisbon, for example.
Yes, crypto companies have taken over the Promenade at Davos, bypassing the traditional financial and tech presence, but it is the presence of so many women in senior positions representing every sector of the crypto industry that has solidified my firm belief that the future of the crypto industry is bright. As Operations is driving UpLift DAO, a launching pad for innovative crypto community projects, I am engaging with our community extensively to keep them engaged and reach as many different sectors as possible.
Having a diverse community brings greater support for new ventures, and ensuring that women are well represented is of paramount importance. It is exciting now to see women playing integral roles in major projects and taking the lead in this space to inspire the community.
Numerous surveys and reports bemoan the low participation rates of women in cryptocurrency – it is estimated that up to 85% of the crypto community is male – however, a 2019 study by Grayscale challenges this trend and found that 43% of investors interested in bitcoin They are women. This number has certainly grown because cryptocurrencies provide easy and open access to investment, unlike traditionally traded assets and commodities.
Related: An open call for women to join the Web3 movement
The April 2022 report saw women’s participation increase over 170% in the past fiscal year, while men’s use was just over 80%. Furthermore, on average, women made larger initial deposits, and although they traded less frequently, their portfolios showed more structured strategies and focused attitudes.
The evolution and leveling of the financial playing field has taken place as information and resources are easily accessible to all, which is another result of the extensive community building efforts and transparency embedded in project designs. While in Davos, I met many extraordinary women – from investors to mentors to entrepreneurs and technologists – who made waves in the cryptocurrency community. These women are impacting the cryptocurrency landscape right now, and they are dynamic and inspiring pioneers who are paving the way for other women to take the lead. I took this opportunity to ask some questions of these outstanding women and I am happy to share their answers with you.
Marek Freiment, CEO of the NEAR Foundation
A non-profit organization based in Switzerland that oversees the development of the NEAR protocol. The NEAR Protocol is an easy-to-use and scalable shared, proof of ownership, layer 1 blockchain. NEAR is also a certified carbon neutral blockchain.
What gets you excited about the cryptocurrency industry?
“The most exciting thing for me right now about the crypto industry is the endless possibilities of using blockchain, specifically the NEAR protocol! The opportunities it presents to change the way we live and organize our lives are truly amazing. DAOs are very exciting and can allow people and society to work and come together in a more inclusive, fair and democratic way.”
Why were you at the World Economic Forum in Davos and how do you think women can influence innovation in the global economy these days?
“Crypto was a prominent topic at Davos this year and it was important for NEAR to be there to support the important initiatives championed by the World Economic Forum but also to show the world that we are creating a positive impact in the world by creating a protocol that is sustainable, accessible and inclusive for everyone. Blockchain’s reputation is They are harmful to the environment, and we need world leaders to realize and understand that this is not the case.In this new world of Web3, diversity is paramount, and as the rules are redefined, we need more women and diversity of thought to build an inclusive future around these new tools. That is, in the cryptocurrency world now, about 85% of the Bitcoin community is male. The investor space is dominated by men and women represent only a third of cryptocurrency holders worldwide. This is not sustainable and will not lead to the positive outcomes we want for society as a whole.”
What advice would you give to women who want to start their career in cryptocurrency?
“For any woman looking to join the crypto world, I would like to offer the following advice. First, you don’t have to be a developer to get into coding. Web3, in particular, is about reshaping what we did on Web2, so all the skills we need today are In Web2 she is and will be required in Web3 and many women are qualified to make their mark in the space.Second, get tr
