On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the fact that women are increasingly making a name for themselves in the exciting world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

Despite the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, the industry remains largely dominated by men. A survey conducted recently has revealed that less than 5% of crypto founders and less than 10% of crypto fund partners are women.

The fact that only 26% of current crypto holders in the U.S. are women highlights the need for more women power in the blockchain and crypto industry.

Women have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact and contribute to the progress of the tech world by breaking down the barriers that prevent them from being represented in leadership and investment roles.

The five women we’ve highlighted are shining examples of the strides that women are making in the industry, and serve as inspiration to other aspiring female techs and entrepreneurs.

1. Meltem Demirors – CSO of CoinShares

Meltem Demirors, the Chief Strategy Officer of CoinShares, is making waves in the world of digital currencies. CoinShares is a financial services firm that specializes in alternative assets, including digital currencies, with offices in London and New York. Demirors’ work at CoinShares involves developing and implementing the company’s strategic vision, as well as educating investors and the public on the benefits of investing in digital assets.

In addition to her work at CoinShares, Demirors also hosts a weekly podcast that covers a wide range of topics related to digital currencies and blockchain technology.

Meltem Demirors is also the founder of Crypto Springs, an annual conference that brings together leaders and innovators in the blockchain and crypto space to discuss the latest developments and trends in the industry.

Through her work, Demirors is helping to promote the growth and adoption of digital currencies, while also providing a platform for other industry leaders to share their knowledge and insights.

She has been recognized for her contributions to the industry, including being ranked 38 on Fortune magazine’s “The Ledger 40 Under 40” list in 2018 and being featured on Hackernoon’s list of “5 Notable Women in the Blockchain and Crypto Industry.”

2. Elizabeth Stark – CEO of Lightning Labs

Elizabeth Stark net worth: $5 Million

Elizabeth Stark is one of the most influential women in the cryptocurrency industry. She’s the co-founder and CEO of Lightning Labs, a company that’s working to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper. Stark has been in the cryptocurrency industry for over a decade and has dedicated her career to developing decentralized technologies that empower individuals.

Stark is also a fellow at Coin Center, a leading digital currency policy organization, and serves as an advisor at Chia, a company focused on developing a new and user-friendly blockchain protocol.

She’s also a vocal advocate for women in the industry and has spoken at numerous conferences on the topic.

3. Catherine Wood – CEO and CIO at ARK Invest

Catherine Wood net worth: $250 million

Catherine Wood is a prominent figure in the investment industry and currently holds the position of CEO and Chief Investment Officer at ARK Invest. ARK Invest focuses on disruptive innovation and provides investment solutions to investors seeking long-term growth in public markets.

As the Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager, Catherine played a key role in developing ARK’s investment philosophy and approach.

Her firm, ARK Invest, became one of the first institutional investors to invest in Bitcoin back in 2015, long before other traditional investment firms entered the space. Furthermore, under her leadership, ARK Invest has continued to invest in and support various blockchain-based companies, demonstrating a strong commitment to the industry.

Catherine Wood has made several impressive contributions to the crypto world. In addition to being a vocal advocate for Bitcoin and blockchain-based innovation, she was one of the first mainstream investors to recognize the potential of these technologies.

Overall, Catherine Wood’s vision and leadership have helped shape the landscape of the crypto industry, making her an influential figure in the space.

4. Caitlin Long – chairman of WyoHackathon

Caitlin Long  net worth: $10 Million

Caitlin Long is a well-known advocate for blockchain and bitcoin, with a long-standing passion for the technology that dates back to 2012. She has made several significant contributions to the industry, including co-founding the Wyoming Blockchain Coalition, an organization dedicated to promoting blockchain technology and digital currencies in the state of Wyoming.

Furthermore, she is the founder and CEO of Avanti Bank & Trust, a digital asset-focused bank that aims to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the digital asset industry.

5. Blythe Masters – CEO of Digital Asset Holding

Blythe Masters net worth: $5 million

Blythe Masters is a highly accomplished figure in the blockchain and financial technology industry. As the former CEO of Digital Asset Holding, she played a key role in developing distributed ledger technology for wholesale financial services.

She was one of the first Wall Street bankers to enter the blockchain sector, bringing with her extensive experience and knowledge of the traditional financial industry.

Additionally, she is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Linux Foundation’s open source Hyperledger Project, a project focused on advancing blockchain technology and its applications across various industries.

She is also a member of the International Advisory Board of Santander Group and an Advisory Board Member of the US Chamber of Digital Commerce. Her leadership and expertise have helped drive innovation and progress in the blockchain industry, making her an influential figure in the space.

The women featured above are leading the way in the blockchain and crypto industry, while also creating a path for other women to follow.

Despite the historical gender gap in technology fields, this disparity is not a permanent state of affairs. With blockchain technology set to revolutionize various industries in the near future, women will have a significant role to play in the transformation.