Reversing the gender gap: Women who kicked ass in crypto in 2024

As I delve into the lives and accomplishments of these remarkable women in the world of cryptocurrency, I am struck by their unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and progress. Each one brings a unique perspective and skillset to the table, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse industry that is poised to revolutionize finance as we know it.

The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a strong upward trend, driven by increasing acceptance among institutions and optimistic attitudes within the U.S. Previously considered an unconventional investment, Bitcoin (BTC) is now receiving recognition from prominent financial entities.

As a researcher, I’ve noticed that women are spearheading significant changes in the realm of cryptocurrencies. They are founding startups, influencing policy-making, developing educational resources, compiling research findings, and much more, all contributing to the widespread acceptance of digital currencies.

The world of cryptocurrency has historically been dominated by men due to its origins in technology and finance, areas that have typically been male-dominated. Yet, this emerging field presents an exciting and innovative transformation of these sectors. Increasingly, women are being drawn to crypto, providing a rare opportunity to correct the gender imbalance in both tech and finance industries.

The world of cryptocurrency was often accused of having a “bro” mentality, but as the field evolves, it’s becoming more gender-balanced. In fact, an increasing number of women are stepping up to take charge, and in some aspects, they’re even outperforming men.

It was disclosed by crypto hedge fund Pantera Capital on July 29th that for the first time, women are earning more than men in the cryptocurrency sector, bucking the trend observed in most other industries.

The report observed that the comparatively balanced salaries in the cryptocurrency sector may indicate a shift towards more gender equality, signaling an advancement in this rapidly developing industry.

In the world of cryptocurrency, it appears that the traditional wage gap might have flipped, yet women continue to be scarce in leading roles. This underscores the longstanding glass ceiling still present within the sector.

Regardless, it’s been women who have seized the chance to dive headfirst into the digital gold rush of cryptocurrencies. Their hard work is already yielding results, as they make significant impacts across various fields and achieve triumphs within the crypto sector.

Senator Cynthia Lummis: Pro-Bitcoin lawmaker

Cynthia Lummis, a senator representing Wyoming in the United States, is playing a crucial role in the cryptocurrency sector by championing fair and transparent regulations for digital assets.

In 2013, Lummis made an investment in Bitcoin. With her extensive knowledge about digital currencies and her role as Wyoming’s treasurer, she is recognized as a key advocate for technological advancements and regulatory transparency within the U.S. Senate.

As a dedicated analyst, I’ve taken notice of Representative Lummis’ vocal criticism towards the current regulatory approach towards cryptocurrencies, specifically the enforcement-focused strategy of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Her stance has resonated deeply within the crypto community, earning her their trust.

Instead of categorizing Bitcoin and Ether (ETH) under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), she has been advocating for their classification as commodities, falling under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

On July 27, 2024, she presented the Bitcoin Act of 2024 during the Bitcoin Nashville conference. This legislation proposes that the U.S. government creates a strategic Bitcoin reserve by acquiring approximately 5% of the total 21 million Bitcoins and holding onto it for at least 20 years. Lummis expressed her desire to have the U.S. utilize Bitcoin as a hedge against currency devaluation. In her own words, she stated:

“We have the money now, but we will no longer be holding it in US dollars and assets that are designed to debase at least 2% per year. We’ll be holding it in an asset that will grow in value.”

Following the 2024 federal elections when Republicans gained control over both the Senate and House, she reaffirmed her commitment by vowing to push through the legislation.

Lummis proposed an alternative idea instead of simply buying Bitcoin later on. He suggested that the U.S. might consider transforming its gold reserves directly into cryptocurrency.

Many people view the Bitcoin Act (BITCOIN) as a significant positive influence in the ongoing Bitcoin trend, generating widespread enthusiasm within the cryptocurrency community.

According to Adam Back, the co-founder and CEO of Blockstream and creator of Hashcash, he anticipates that if Bitcoin is put into action, its value might soar beyond the million-dollar mark.

As an analyst, I can express this idea as follows: If the proposed legislation gets approved in the United States, my interpretation is that it could serve as a significant catalyst, encouraging other G20 countries to adopt similar regulations. This potential domino effect could be set in motion by the US’s decision.

Maya Parbhoe: Creating a new Bitcoin nation

As a forward-thinking crypto investor, I’m excited about Maya Parbhoe’s visionary plans for Suriname. Instead of just talking about it, he aims to transform our country into a fully immersed Bitcoin nation, where cryptocurrency is not just tolerated but embraced as a cornerstone of our economic strategy.

Instead of limiting her vision for Suriname to merely legalizing Bitcoin as tender, she aims to accomplish much more: dissolving the central bank, reducing taxes, transferring public services into private hands, issuing government-backed Bitcoin bonds, and pursuing extensive deregulation across various sectors.

2023 saw her collaborate with Samson Mow, head of Bitcoin accelerator Jan3, significantly contributing to El Salvador’s Bitcoin revolution. Nearly achieving the objective of recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender in Suriname, she attributes the failure to corruption. This experience sparked her determination to bring change through political means.

In October 2024, she declared her intention to run in the May 2025 elections, assuring that if victorious, she would transition Suriname to a Bitcoin-based system within a year.

For over a decade now, I’ve been deeply immersed in the world of Bitcoin, following closely the principles set forth by its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Even as some politicians have only recently warmed up to cryptocurrencies, my conviction in the ideals that underpin this innovative financial system remains unwavering.

2014 saw her inquisitiveness spark an interest in Bitcoin. This discovery became a long-term passion for her, as she openly expressed to CryptoMoon.

“I completely dove into the rabbit hole and decided to dedicate the rest of my life to it. If there’s a cause that you could literally die on this hill for, Bitcoin would be it.”

Support for Parbhoe’s mission to eradicate corruption has grown among Bitcoin enthusiasts. Yet, it remains to be seen whether the momentum she’s creating will be strong enough to seize control and redefine the nation’s future.

Perianne Boring: Tireless Bitcoin lobbyist

During his election, Donald Trump made numerous statements suggesting a strong support for cryptocurrencies, which could potentially lead to a highly favorable environment for them within the U.S. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the regulatory landscape regarding cryptocurrencies in the U.S. has not always been warm and welcoming.

For many years, Perianne Boring, as the founder and leader of The Digital Chamber, an organization that champions blockchain technology, has relentlessly championed pro-cryptocurrency regulations from the battlefront.

Through their powerful stance, the Cryptocurrency Voting Coalition has successfully expressed their influence. Now, we stand at a rare juncture in history where we can potentially transform the United States into the global leader in cryptocurrency.

— Perianne (@PerianneDC) November 13, 2024

In 2018, I was recognized by Forbes among “America’s Top 50 Women in Tech,” a testament to my significant impact within the United States’ blockchain industry.

Back in 2011, while she was employed on Capitol Hill, this individual had already become acquainted with Bitcoin. With her political background and service as an economic analyst for a member of the House Financial Services Committee, her expertise and understanding of Bitcoin paved the way for her to reach her current position.

She is a fierce defender of clear crypto policies and has criticized the SEC for what many in the crypto industry consider “regulation by enforcement.” She argues that the CFTC should oversee cryptocurrencies, as “cryptocurrencies are commodities.”

Her forward-thinking strategy might have put her in contention for the list of potential candidates to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as reported by Fox Business. If she gets nominated and confirmed, this could provide her an opportunity to implement crypto-friendly regulations.

As a researcher delving into the world of cryptocurrency regulation, I find myself increasingly intrigued by an individual who could play a crucial role in shaping these guidelines. This potential impact is amplified if the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) is approved.

Natalie Brunell: Educating the masses about crypto

Natasha Brunell is well-known within the cryptocurrency community, recognized particularly for her work as an advocate and educator of Bitcoin.

Brunell hosts Coin Stories, a highly popular Bitcoin-focused podcast, where she interviews key voices in Bitcoin and economics. Her work helps bridge complex financial concepts with personal stories, making Bitcoin accessible to a broad audience.

Brunell’s professional journey started in conventional media, where she spent more than ten years working as an investigative reporter and television journalist. A turning point in her career occurred following the 2008 financial crisis, during which she observed her family experiencing hardships within the traditional financial setup. This experience prompted her to scrutinize underlying problems within this system, eventually leading her towards Bitcoin.

After that point, her show started inviting experts in the field of cryptocurrency, including Michael Saylor, Peter Schiff, PlanB, Anthony Pompliano, Willy Woo, Raoul Pal, Dan Held, Peter McCormack, and Jimmy Song, along with several others.

Her transition from conventional media to becoming a dedicated Bitcoin advocate highlights her strong dedication towards altering the general public’s perception about money and technology.

Lyn Alden: Bitcoin researcher

Lyn Alden, an investor and financial analyst, is becoming well-known for her insights into macroeconomics and investment tactics. She regularly collaborates with key figures in the cryptocurrency world to share her views on the crypto market.

Alden excels at breaking down intricate analyses into understandable terms for everyday people. In 2024, she initiated a research paper entitled “Bitcoin: A Global Indicator of Liquidity,” delving into the significant relationship between Bitcoin’s price fluctuations and global liquidity, focusing predominantly on the M2 money supply, which encompasses cash, savings deposits, and other assets similar to money.

The study shows that Bitcoin’s behavior tends to follow global liquidity patterns about 83% of the time, which is more often than other significant assets such as gold and stocks do.

From this viewpoint, Bitcoin’s ability to capitalize on advantageous liquidity situations is emphasized, while also taking into account its inherent volatility and vulnerability to larger economic trends across the global market.

Margot Paez: Fighting environmental misinformation

One of the most common criticisms against cryptocurrencies is that the negative environmental effects wrought by crypto mining are too destructive. However, this narrative has begun to shift.

Bitcoin operates through a consensus mechanism called proof-of-work (PoW), which necessitates substantial computational power to add new blocks onto the blockchain. As reported by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) on December 17, this process consumes approximately 185 terawatt-hours annually, surpassing the energy consumption of countries like Egypt and Poland.

Margot Paez, a fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and an advisor on environmental sustainability, has carried out studies contradicting the belief that Bitcoin negatively impacts the environment. She posits that the adaptable nature of Bitcoin mining, combined with its ability to operate anywhere, could actually speed up the worldwide shift towards renewable energy sources and aid in maintaining a balanced power grid.

Participation in Bitcoin mining education initiatives, supported by facts and figures, has significantly enhanced the comprehension of this digital currency’s mining process.

Ophelia Snyder: Crypto ETF specialist

2024’s surge in Bitcoin price is closely linked to the approval of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF has set new records as its most successful ETF launch, consistently outperforming its gold ETFs with an increase in capital inflows.

Ophelia Snyder, the co-founder and president of 21.co – a partner and advisor for ARK Invest’s Bitcoin and Ether ETF – plays a significant role in establishing various exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

21st of November, 2018 marked the debut of the first global cryptocurrency index exchange-traded product, which was introduced by her via the subsidiary 21Shares owned by 21.co, in Switzerland.

Among Snyder’s notable accomplishments is partnering with Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest to debut Bitcoin Spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the United States. These collaborative efforts have greatly contributed to the legitimization of cryptocurrencies for traditional investors, offering them a hassle-free and secure means to invest in the market.

2024-12-25 17:03