10 Women. One Choice: Crypto Over Silicon Valley.

The Codebreakers: 10 Women Who Rejected Silicon Valley's Playbook to Build Crypto's Future

Silicon Valley promised innovation, but for many brilliant women, it delivered a familiar script: bro-culture, glass ceilings, and a narrow definition of success. They looked at the entrenched world of tech giants and said  no.  Instead, they turned their talents toward a new frontier—one of digital assets, decentralized networks, and financial revolution. They said a resounding  yes  to crypto.

These are not just participants; they are architects. They are building the foundational layers of our financial future, leading global policy debates, and creating platforms that handle billions. In a space often stereotyped as a male-dominated club, these women are writing a different story—one of resilience, profound technical expertise, and visionary leadership.

A Glimpse at the Landscape: Progress Amid the Gap

The journey is far from easy. The numbers tell a stark story: only 7% of Web3 founders are women, and men still dominate crypto ownership. Yet, a powerful counter-narrative is emerging. Recent research reveals a startling trend: women in crypto are now out-earning their male counterparts. This isn't just about participation; it's about impactful success. It signals a crack in the old foundations, proving that in this new world, merit and innovation can triumph over outdated hierarchies.

Meet The Architects: Ten Visions for a Decentralized Tomorrow

1. Galia Benartzi: The DeFi Pioneer
After selling two startups, Galia Benartzi didn't follow the typical Silicon Valley exit script. She co-founded Bancor, creating the first Automated Market Maker (AMM)—a DeFi primitive that now powers billions in token swaps. When Bancor faced a major hack, her response was characteristically bold: she fought back by founding the Crypto Defenders Alliance. Benartzi is on a mission not just to build decentralized finance, but to fortify it for everyone.

2. Lily Liu: The Comeback Architect
As President of the Solana Foundation, Lily Liu steered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in crypto history. Her financial acumen, honed as a CFO across the US and China and as co-founder of Earn.com (acquired by Coinbase), was instrumental in Solana's revival to record highs. Her influence radiates across the ecosystem, with roles on the board of Ledger and as an advisor to pivotal projects like Osmosis and Brave.

3. Elizabeth Stark: Scaling the Bitcoin Vision
While others chase the next shiny token, Elizabeth Stark is focused on securing and scaling the original: Bitcoin. As CEO of Lightning Labs, she is at the heart of developing the Lightning Network, making Bitcoin transactions instant and cheap. Her work on Taproot Assets is quietly transforming Bitcoin into a powerful multi-asset network, proving its potential extends far beyond digital gold.

4. Caitlin Long: Bridging Wall Street and Crypto
A 22-year Wall Street veteran, Caitlin Long experienced the flaws of traditional finance firsthand. She didn't just critique; she built a bridge. As founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, she is forging a new path for regulated, transparent digital asset banking. From drafting Wyoming's groundbreaking blockchain laws to launching a sophisticated Bitcoin custody platform, Long is the steadfast advocate building the trustworthy infrastructure crypto needs to go truly mainstream.

5. Ophelia Snyder: The Institutional Gateway
Ophelia Snyder demystified crypto investing for the world. As co-founder of 21Shares (now 21.co), she launched the first crypto exchange-traded product (ETP) in 2018, creating a safe, familiar pathway for institutional and everyday investors. Her leadership was crucial in the successful rollout of Bitcoin ETFs, a watershed moment that has brought unprecedented legitimacy and capital to the entire asset class.

6. Laura Shin: The Storyteller-In-Chief
Long before  Web3  was a buzzword, Laura Shin was decoding it. As the first mainstream journalist to cover crypto full-time (at Forbes), she used sharp reporting and a curious mind to translate complex ideas for a global audience. Through her acclaimed podcast, Unchained, and bestselling books, she doesn't just report the news—she investigates the skeletons in crypto's closet, holding power to account and inspiring a generation of thinkers.

7. Perianne Boring: Washington's Digital Advocate
In the halls of power where regulation is shaped, Perianne Boring is crypto's unwavering voice. As founder and CEO of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, the industry's largest trade association, she has turned policy advocacy into an art form. Her work, including launching the Digital Power Network, ensures that the promise of blockchain innovation isn't stifled but nurtured through smart, forward-looking policy.

8. Dahlia Malkhi: The Cryptographic Vanguard
Dahlia Malkhi left prestigious research roles at Microsoft and Meta's Diem project to tackle Web3's hardest problems. As Chief Research Officer at Chainlink Labs, she focuses on building the secure, reliable infrastructure that decentralized applications demand. Her vision extends beyond Earth—through Spacecoin, she's pioneering the concept of decentralized blockchain networks in outer space, aiming for ultimate security.

9. Emilie Choi: Steering the Giant
As President and COO of Coinbase, Emilie Choi manages the delicate balance of driving growth and ensuring compliance for a crypto titan. Her strategic leadership is quantified in stunning results: under her watch, Coinbase saw an 88% year-over-year revenue surge in late 2024, with trading volumes soaring to heights not seen since 2021. She brought Silicon Valley operational excellence to crypto and is using it to build a lasting financial gateway.

10. Neha Narula: The Academic Engine
Neha Narula could have built a comfortable career at Google. Instead, she chose to rebuild the concept of money itself. As Director of MIT's Digital Currency Initiative, she leads some of the most crucial academic research in crypto, tackling existential challenges in security and scalability. She is a trusted advisor to institutions like the Federal Reserve, ensuring that the future of digital currency is built on rigorous science and profound understanding.

Create Answer