The crypto industry has evolved far beyond its early focus on Bitcoin and early adopters. By 2026, digital assets are no longer a niche interest but a global market influencing finance, technology, and policy. As the industry has matured, a recurring question has emerged: where are the women?

The data on gender representation in the crypto industry shows both progress and persistent gaps. According to the Gemini “Global State of Crypto 2024” report, women represented about 31% of crypto holders in 2024, down from roughly 42% in 2022, illustrating that while women’s participation is growing, digital asset ownership remains male-dominated globally.

Similar disparities appear in broader technology and finance sectors, where female founders receive a relatively small share of venture capital funding compared with their male counterparts, underscoring ongoing challenges in access to investment and leadership opportunities in the wider digital asset ecosystem.

Despite this imbalance, women are increasingly shaping crypto’s direction. Not through speculation or hype, but through infrastructure, governance, regulation, education, and long-term institution building. This article highlights ten women whose work continues to influence how crypto integrates into the global financial system.

Top 10 Women in Crypto (2026): Quick Overview

Top Women In Crypto (2026)

1. Meltem Demirors — Strategic Investor Building Crypto Infrastructure

Meltem Demirors is the Founder and General Partner of Crucible, an investment firm focused on long-term digital asset infrastructure. Formerly Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, she has worked across complex global markets and regularly engages with policymakers and academic institutions such as MIT and Oxford. Her work connects institutional capital with crypto infrastructure while advocating for thoughtful regulation and sustainability.

2. Arianna Simpson — Venture Capitalist Backing Long-Term Builders

Arianna Simpson is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where she invests in foundational crypto and Web3 companies. After entering crypto early and founding her own fund, she became known for supporting founders with long-term visions rather than short-term narratives. Through investing, writing, and public conversations, she helps demystify crypto venture capital.

3. Denelle Dixon — Using Blockchain For Financial Access

As CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, Denelle Dixon focuses on real-world blockchain use cases. Under her leadership, Stellar has supported cross-border payments, humanitarian aid distribution, and partnerships with global institutions. Her work demonstrates how blockchain can improve transparency, speed, and access in financial systems worldwide.

4. Elizabeth Stark — Scaling Bitcoin Through The Lightning Network

Elizabeth Stark is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lightning Labs, which develops the Lightning Network to improve Bitcoin scalability. Her work helps Bitcoin function not only as a store of value but also as a fast, usable payment network. Stark’s focus on open systems and global access reflects a long-term view of Bitcoin’s role in digital finance.

5. Kathleen Breitman — Advancing Blockchain Governance

Kathleen Breitman co-founded Tezos, a blockchain designed to evolve through on-chain governance. Tezos introduced mechanisms that allow communities to upgrade networks without disruptive forks. Breitman’s work emphasizes adaptability, transparency, and sustainability within decentralized systems.

6. Kathryn Haun — Bridging Policy And Innovation

Kathryn Haun is the Founder and CEO of Haun Ventures and a former federal prosecutor. With experience in major crypto-related investigations, she now supports projects that prioritize security, transparency, and responsible innovation. Her background allows her to bridge the gap between regulation and emerging blockchain technologies.

7. Sandy Kaul — Driving Tokenization In Traditional Finance

Sandy Kaul leads digital asset initiatives at Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset managers. Her focus includes tokenization, settlement efficiency, and integrating blockchain technology into traditional financial systems. Her work reflects how established institutions are adopting crypto infrastructure thoughtfully.

8. Lucy Gazmararian — Supporting Asia-Pacific Blockchain Innovation

Lucy Gazmararian is the Founder and Managing Partner of Token Bay Capital, investing in early-stage blockchain startups across the Asia-Pacific region. She also advises policymakers and industry groups, advocating for balanced regulation that supports innovation while maintaining market stability.

9. Staci Warden — Expanding Blockchain’s Public Impact

As CEO of the Algorand Foundation, Staci Warden works to advance blockchain adoption through finance, education, and public-sector initiatives. With experience across global financial institutions, she focuses on making blockchain useful, inclusive, and practical for real-world applications.

10. Yi He — Building Operational Scale On A Global Crypto Platform

Yi He is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Binance. Since the company’s early years, she has been involved in operational leadership, organizational development, and internal strategy across its global business. Her work has focused on building processes and structures that support the functioning of large-scale crypto platforms.

Her career reflects the importance of operational discipline and long-term planning in the growth of digital asset companies, highlighting how leadership behind the scenes can shape complex organizations over time.

Women And The Broader Crypto Ecosystem

Beyond founders and executives, women are shaping crypto culture, education, and adoption. From researchers and educators to community builders and policy advisers, women are helping make Web3 more accessible and trustworthy by emphasizing inclusion, clarity, and long-term value.

This growing presence also raises a practical question for many readers: how can women engage with crypto in a way that feels informed, intentional, and aligned with their goals? 

The following section outlines a few grounded ways to approach the space with confidence and perspective.

If You’re A Woman Exploring Crypto: Where To Start And What Matters

Entering the crypto space does not require technical expertise or a specific background. Many of the women shaping the industry today began in finance, law, policy, research, or entirely different fields. What matters most is curiosity, context, and consistency.

Here are a few grounded ways to approach crypto with confidence and clarity.

1. Focus on Understanding, Not Speed

Crypto moves quickly, but learning does not need to. Start by understanding how digital assets work, what blockchains are used for, and how different parts of the ecosystem connect. Building a strong foundation helps reduce noise and improves long-term decision-making.

2. Learn Beyond Prices and Trends

Price movements often dominate headlines, but they rarely explain how crypto creates value. Spend time exploring topics such as blockchain use cases, governance models, payments, and tokenization. These areas provide a clearer picture of where the technology is being applied in the real world.

3. Follow Builders, Researchers, and Educators

The most useful insights often come from people working on infrastructure, policy, and education rather than from market commentary. Following thoughtful voices helps you stay informed without being overwhelmed by speculation. Read about the top influencers of 2026 here.

4. Choose Platforms That Prioritize Clarity and Security

Whether you are learning, experimenting, or participating more actively, use platforms that emphasize transparency, education, and user safety. A clear understanding of how tools work builds confidence over time.

5. Engage With the Community at Your Own Pace

Crypto communities can be global, diverse, and fast-moving. Participation does not have to be loud or constant. Reading, listening, and asking questions are equally valid ways to learn and stay engaged.

6. Remember That There Is No Single Path

There is no one way to be involved in crypto. Some women lead foundations, others invest, research, educate, or build products. Many combine crypto with careers in finance, technology, policy, or creative fields. Finding your own path is part of the process.

FAQs

Who are the top women in crypto?

The top women in crypto include leaders across blockchain infrastructure, investment, regulation, and institutional adoption. Figures such as Meltem Demirors, Arianna Simpson, Denelle Dixon, Elizabeth Stark, Yi He, and Staci Warden are widely recognized for shaping the industry’s long-term direction.

Who is the most influential crypto changemaker in 2026?

Influence in crypto is distributed rather than concentrated in a single individual. Changemakers are often those building infrastructure, shaping regulation, or enabling real-world adoption. 

Which crypto will be highest in 2025 or 2026?

There is no reliable way to predict which crypto will perform best in a given year. Market outcomes depend on regulation, adoption, technology development, and global economic conditions. 

Which coin will give 1000x returns in 2026?

Claims of “1000x” returns are speculative and not grounded in consistent evidence.