In June 2025, CoinDesk launched its inaugural “Top 50 Women in Web3 & AI” list, celebrating the women innovators who are at the forefront of reshaping technology and finance. This recognition isn’t just about celebrating women in isolation; it’s a testament to the power of unified innovation across gender lines. The list, the result of a meticulous selection process from over 300 nominees evaluated by a diverse panel of judges, highlights 50 pioneers who embody the spirit of creation and leadership in the tech revolution.
Leaders Driving Real Impact
Nkiru Uwaje, Co-Founder and COO of MANSA, exemplifies this transformative leadership. Describing herself as a builder and advocate since MANSA’s launch in August 2024, Uwaje has utilized stablecoins to provide instant funding for underserved African clients. Her achievements speak volumes: $92 million in payments facilitated with a staggering $178 million in on-chain volume. It’s a demonstration of how blockchain technology can democratize financial access while fostering sustainable businesses.
Yasmina Kazitani, Co-President of the Blockchain Game Alliance, also stands out. Her efforts, including partnerships with Algeria’s Ministry of Strategy and Lamina1, are positioning Africa as a rising force in Web3 gaming. Kazitani’s global ecosystem-building transcends gender, as she mentors developers across all demographics, believing that diverse teams create stronger products.
Daniela Amodei, Co-Founder and President of Anthropic, represents principled leadership in AI development. After parting ways with OpenAI over safety concerns, she spearheaded Anthropic, championing “Constitutional AI” methodologies. Under her leadership, the company has secured significant partnerships with Amazon and the U.K. government, emphasizing how values-driven innovation can unite industry and public sector interests around responsible development.
The Convergence Revolution
These leaders operate at the exciting intersection of AI and blockchain, two technologies that complement each other beautifully. AI excels at pattern recognition and prediction, while blockchain provides verification and immutable record-keeping. In fintech, AI-driven analytics predict market trends, while blockchain ensures transparent transactions. In gaming, blockchain fosters decentralized ecosystems, while AI enhances user experiences. It’s a convergence that is reshaping industries, as highlighted in our recent analysis of blockchain adoption among Fortune 500 companies.
In medicine, for instance, AI diagnostics are paired with blockchain-secured patient data, while in finance, tokenized assets democratize investment opportunities. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, leads the Blockchain4Her initiative, advocating for gender equity in global forums. Her work underscores that supporting women strengthens entire ecosystems—not just female participation.
Beyond Celebration to Collaboration
While celebrating these achievements is crucial, the real progress lies in moving beyond separate recognition towards unified innovation. The Proof of Talk 2025 event, which admirably hosted the list’s announcement, missed an opportunity by not featuring these women in integrated panels alongside their male counterparts. This approach tends to treat women’s contributions as separate rather than essential to the whole.
The challenge isn’t unique to tech events. Regulators often impose barriers that slow innovation, particularly in crypto and fintech. Academia struggles to keep pace with Web3 developments, and the public sector can’t match the agility of the private sector. Yet, innovators persist, working to align all stakeholders towards common goals. As detailed in our coverage of blockchain’s surge in adoption across various sectors, this alignment is crucial for sustained growth.
Building the Future Together
The path forward involves systemic changes. Events should feature mixed panels showcasing shared achievements. Investors should fund diverse teams not because it’s politically correct, but because it’s strategically smart. Regulators should engage multiple perspectives to create balanced frameworks. Academia should mentor all talent while updating curricula to reflect Web3 realities.
The Top 50 women aren’t just footnotes in tech history; they are co-authors of our digital future. With leaders like Nkiru Uwaje, Yasmina Kazitani, and Daniela Amodei, and countless others working alongside male innovators, systems are being created that empower and inspire.
Inclusion isn’t about quotas or separate tracks—it’s about recognizing that diverse teams solve problems better. By building together—leveraging every perspective, skill set, and insight—we create technology that truly serves everyone. That’s not just good business; it’s the only way forward in an increasingly complex world. The future belongs to those who build it together.
Source
This article is based on: Why CoinDesk’s Top 50 Women in AI and Web3 List Points to a Unified Future
Further Reading
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
