Cryptocurrency is a relatively new field, with its roots tracing back to 2008 when the enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto unveiled the coveted Bitcoin white paper. Initially met with skepticism and curiosity, the next decade saw a predominantly male-dominated landscape emerge, giving rise to the term “Crypto Bros” and a fervent following of Bitcoin enthusiasts.
At its core, blockchain technology embodies the principles of decentralization—aiming to distribute power and foster a more inclusive financial system. Yet, when it comes to gender representation, the numbers tell a different story. Women hold only 6% of CEO positions in blockchain, compared to 17% in the broader technology sector, highlighting a significant underrepresentation in the field. So, can the evolution of this space truly embody inclusivity if one gender remains predominant?
Today, the landscape is evolving as a growing number of women make impactful strides as investors, founders, and skilled professionals within the cryptocurrency and blockchain arenas. According to a report by Cointelegraph – the percentage of women who own crypto has risen significantly, from 18% at the beginning of 2023 to 29% at the beginning of 2024. The number of women working at crypto companies versus men has also increased up from 10% in 2019 to 26% today.
“Crypto Gals” are making their mark, working alongside their male counterparts to shape a more talent-driven and gender-inclusive future for blockchain. While the journey is just beginning, the path ahead promises progress and transformation. So in celebration of National Women’s Day in South Africa OVEX is excited to spotlight some of our favorite women who are leaving an indelible mark on the history of cryptocurrency.
Sonya Kuhnel
Sonya Kuhnel is a pioneering force in the South African cryptocurrency landscape, whose contributions have significantly advanced blockchain adoption and education across Africa.
Sonya’s journey into the world of cryptocurrency began in 2013 when she established Bitcoin Payments – enabling online merchants in South Africa to accept Bitcoin.
In 2014, Sonya co-founded Bitcoin Events, which has become renowned for hosting the largest cryptocurrency and blockchain events on the African continent. These premier events, including the Blockchain Africa Conferences, DeFi Conference, and Crypto Fest, attract a diverse audience of venture capitalists, government delegates, and industry leaders, fostering dialogue and innovation within the sector.
Recognizing the critical need for blockchain education, Sonya also founded the Bitcoin Academy in 2015, which was later rebranded as the Blockchain Academy. As the first institution of its kind in South Africa, it offers comprehensive training and consulting services globally, positioning itself as a cornerstone in blockchain education.
She is also a Co-Founder of Xago Technologies, a pioneering fintech company that specializes in payment solutions leveraging blockchain technology.
As Co-founder and Managing Director of Bitcoin Events, Sonya continues to play a pivotal role in organizing influential conferences that draw attendees from over 165 countries. Her ongoing efforts highlight her dedication to advancing the cryptocurrency industry and driving its growth across Africa.
Sonya’s visionary work and leadership make her a key figure in the putting the African crypto-sphere on the global map – reflecting her substantial impact on the industry’s development and education in the region.
Naomi Snyman
Naomi Snyman is a leading figure in the integration of blockchain technology within the financial sector. She played an integral role in bridging the gap between the traditional finance and crypto space as the Blockchain Lead for the Standard Bank Group. In this role, she oversaw blockchain initiatives across 16 African countries, impacting both Commercial and Retail Banking operations. Currently Naomi heads up Absa bank’s digital delivery strategy.
As Chairperson of the South African Financial Blockchain Consortium, Naomi plays a critical role in shaping the future of blockchain technology in the region. Her leadership in this capacity helps foster collaboration and innovation within the financial services industry.
Naomi’s primary goal is to develop commercially viable solutions that address real-world problems through blockchain technology. Her work is instrumental in advancing the adoption of blockchain in Africa, driving digital transformation, and creating impactful financial solutions.
Her contributions reflect a commitment to harnessing blockchain’s potential to revolutionize financial services and solve pressing challenges across the African continent and beyond.
Devon Krantz
Devon Krantz is a leading figure in South Africa’s blockchain and Web3 landscape, celebrated for her efforts in making Web3 tech more accessible and impactful.
As the founder of Web3 Sanctuary, an innovative edtech platform, Devon is dedicated to democratizing Web3 education. The platform provides essential training and resources, making Web3 knowledge accessible to a broad audience and fostering a more inclusive digital future.
Previously, as CEO of Linum Labs, Devon led a product development house specializing in Web3, AI, and Machine Learning technology. Linum Labs focuses on design, development, and blockchain consulting services, creating intuitive solutions that bridge the gap between complex Web3 technologies and practical applications. Her leadership in these areas has been crucial in advancing Web3 and AI capabilities in Africa.
Devon’s contributions are instrumental in expanding the reach and usability of digital innovations, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies benefit a wider audience across the continent.
Meltem Demirors
Meltem Demirors stands out as a pioneering force in the cryptocurrency space. As the Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, a publicly listed investment firm managing over $250 million in digital assets, Meltem plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the digital asset ecosystem.
Her astute understanding of the crypto economy and her relentless investment acumen have established her as a respected and influential voice in the industry. In addition to her role at CoinShares, Meltem is a founding member of the World Economic Forum Blockchain Council, where she advocates for the integration of blockchain technology into mainstream finance. Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the discourse around cryptocurrency and its potential to transform global financial systems.
Before joining CoinShares, Meltem made significant strides at Digital Currency Group, where she played a key role in raising capital from major corporations and managing a diverse portfolio of 120 companies and four subsidiaries. Her background in the Oil & Gas industry—spanning trading, corporate treasury, and M&A roles—provided her with a strong foundation in financial analytics, which she has adeptly applied to the crypto world.
Meltem’s expertise extends beyond the technical aspects of blockchain; she is also known for her deep insights into crypto market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. Her efforts to educate business leaders and entrepreneurs about blockchain technology have been vital in driving its adoption globally. As an angel investor, she has made early bets on innovative startups such as Messari and Polymarket, further cementing her role as a forward-thinking investor.
Meltem Demirors’s journey from the energy sector to becoming a leading advocate and strategist in cryptocurrency exemplifies her remarkable ability to bridge traditional finance with the cutting-edge world of digital assets. Her work continues to inspire and drive the growth of blockchain technology, making her a standout figure in the crypto sphere.
Cynthia ‘Crypto Queen’ Lummis
Cynthia Lummis was sworn into the United States Senate on January 3, 2021, becoming the first woman to serve as United States Senator from the great State of Wyoming. Born on a cattle ranch in Laramie County, Senator Lummis has spent her entire career fighting for Wyoming families, communities, businesses and values. Odds are you were later to the Bitcoin party than Lummis who was an early adopter way back in 2013. She now regrets only buying 3 coins at the time.
She has been dubbed the Senate’s “Crypto Queen” for her relentless pursuit of protecting and growing Bitcoin in the United States. One of her notable contributions was her work with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to introduce the bipartisan “Responsible Financial Innovation Act,” aimed at creating a regulatory framework for the industry in America. A key component of the Act is how to classify digital assets (commodities or securities) and which agency should regulate them. She also recently introduced S.4912, the BITCOIN Act of 2024 which aims to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and introduces other programs to ensure the transparent management of Bitcoin holdings of the Federal Government
Catherine Wood
Cathie Wood is a distinguished investor and the Founder and CEO of ARK Invest, a firm renowned for its focus on innovative technologies. With $60 billion in assets under management, ARK Invest has become a leading player in investing in disruptive technologies such as self-driving cars and genomics.
Wood’s foundation in economics, studied under Art Laffer at USC—famous for developing the Laffer Curve, which explores the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue—has shaped her investment philosophy. As a star stock-picker, she has built a reputation for identifying high-growth opportunities.
Cathie Wood has been a pioneering advocate for Bitcoin and blockchain technology. In 2015, ARK Invest was among the first institutions to invest in Bitcoin, recognizing its potential long before it became mainstream. Her forward-thinking approach has positioned her as a key proponent of blockchain innovation.
Her flagship fund, the $23 billion Ark Innovation Fund, has delivered remarkable performance, achieving an average annual return of nearly 45% over the past five years. Cathie Wood’s strategic vision continues to drive ARK Invest’s success and influence in the world of disruptive technologies.
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lightning Labs, where she is at the forefront of developing the Lightning Network—a layer-2 scaling solution designed to enable fast, scalable Bitcoin transactions. The Lightning Network aims to process up to 1 million transactions per second, addressing key scalability challenges in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Since co-founding Lightning Labs in 2016, Stark has been instrumental in advancing the network’s development, which is crucial for enhancing Bitcoin’s transaction speed and efficiency. Under her leadership, the company is building a programmable financial layer for the internet, aiming to revolutionize how financial transactions are conducted.
In addition to her role at Lightning Labs, Stark is a fellow at Coin Center, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for pro-crypto public policy. She also serves as an advisor to various cryptocurrency companies and initiatives, leveraging her expertise to support the growth and adoption of blockchain technology.
Elizabeth Stark has a strong academic background, having taught at both Stanford and Yale University, where she focused on the future of the internet. She was also a visiting fellow at Yale’s Information Society Project, contributing to discussions on the evolving landscape of digital technology.
Laura Shin
Laura Shin is a prominent journalist and influential voice in the cryptocurrency world. She is the host of the acclaimed podcast “Unchained,” where she provides in-depth analysis and interviews on blockchain technology and digital assets.
Laura graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Honors from Stanford University and holds a Master of Arts from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. Her academic achievements laid a strong foundation for her career in journalism.
Previously, Laura served as a senior editor at Forbes, where she covered crypto assets full-time, marking her deep dive into the world of blockchain technology. Her interest in this field was sparked while leading the Forbes Fintech 50 list, which focused on innovative technologies in finance.
Laura is also the author of the bestselling book “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze,” which provides a detailed exploration of the early cryptocurrency boom and the key figures involved.
Her contributions to cryptocurrency journalism have established her as a leading figure in the industry, known for her insightful reporting and comprehensive coverage of the digital asset space.
Lyn Alden
Lyn Alden is a renowned macroeconomist and financial analyst, known for her incisive research on debt, inflation, and fiscal policy. She is the founder of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy, where she provides detailed analysis and consulting services to a broad audience, ranging from self-taught investors to seasoned financial professionals. Her work is widely respected, with contributions to platforms such as CoinDesk, Seeking Alpha, and FEDweek, and features in major publications like Business Insider, CNBC, and Time’s Money Magazine.
With a unique background that combines electrical engineering and blended finance, Lyn specializes in breaking down otherwise complicated financial concepts. Her approach to financial analysis is both rigorous and accessible, helping investors cut through the noise to make informed decisions. Beyond her research, she serves on the board of directors for Swan.com and advises the venture capital firm Ego Death Capital, further solidifying her influence in the digital finance space.
In her widely-read book, Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better, Lyn delves into the fundamental concepts of money. The book provides readers with a framework to analyze and compare different monetary technologies and theories, offering a fresh perspective on how we might improve our current financial systems. Through this work, Lyn continues to educate and empower her audience, offering actionable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the global financial landscape.
A dedicated Bitcoin advocate, Lyn has been researching and writing about cryptocurrency since 2013. Her analyses provide a nuanced view of Bitcoin’s role in the evolving financial landscape, positioning it as a critical asset in the face of traditional financial instability. Lyn’s work not only highlights the potential of Bitcoin but also serves as a valuable resource for those looking to understand and navigate the complexities of the crypto space.
