The use of cryptocurrencies by investors has increased substantially as they become more popular. However, the gender disparity in cryptocurrency investment remains the largest of any other type of financial investment, including mutual funds, equities, and bonds. A 2021 report stated that women involved in crypto trading constitutes of less than 20% global crypto traders.
Nonetheless, this notion is challenged by the rising number of women who are not only entering this area but also occupying leadership positions there and bringing about change one block at a time. These Arab women defied the stereotype and became founders, co-founders, blockchain experts, and CEOs even though women are still behind males in cryptocurrency investment.
Here are seven women crushing it in the blockchain and crypto space and inspiring budding female techs and entrepreneurs.
Top 7 Women in blockchain in the Middle East 2024
Dr Amber Ghaddar
She is of Lebanese descent and the founder of Alliance Block UK. She is developing a decentralized, layer-two protocol independent of any particular blockchain that automates the process of converting any digital asset or cryptocurrency into bankable security with a globally recognized Individual Securities Identification Number (ISIN).
Amber began her career in global investment research at Goldman Sachs before moving to the JP Morgan Cross Asset Solution team in 2012 to work on exotic and structured products spanning Equities, FX, Rates, Credit, and Commodities. She oversaw JP Morgan’s Macro Systematic Strategies initiative later in her career.
Eman Herawy
Eman is an Egyptian-born founder of Arabs in Blockchain and an Ethereum developer. She is a blockchain full-stack engineer, a Devcon scholar alumna at the Ethereum Foundation, a blockchain coach and reviewer at Udacity, and an ambassador for ConsenSys Quorum and Status Network.
She established Arabs in Blockchain in late 2020 as an open community to empower the Arab world in blockchain through events, mentorship programs, and the inclusion of additional Arabic material.
Dina Samaan
She is the managing director and co-founder of Bahrain-based CoinMENA, a platform for trading digital assets. Before that, Dina worked on various initiatives in the real estate, blockchain, and cryptocurrency industries. Dina was the first woman to establish a fully regulated cryptocurrency exchange because she followed her passion and used her years of expertise in the industry, which came from her conviction that cryptocurrency is the future of money and commerce.
Ola Doudin
The CEO and co-founder of the cryptocurrency platform BitOasis is the Jordanian Ola Doudin. She started with Ernst & Young as a risk adviser for IT, operating from the UAE. Additionally, Ola is presently a consultant for Yellow, a Middle Eastern Bitcoin payment startup.
Iman Mutlaq
Another Jordanian, Iman Mutlaq, is the CEO and Founder of INGOT Broker LLC, a group of international businesses that provides cryptocurrency services and operates on five continents.
Salwa Radwi
The first NFT marketplace in MENA, Nuqtah, was founded and is led by Saudi Salwa Radwi. It provides a platform for regional artists to produce digital NFTs based on their original works. She was among the youngest Saudi artists to have a photograph featured in the British Museum ten years prior.
Anna Tutova
Anna is becoming more well-known in Dubai. She is a proponent of the industry, the CEO of Coinstelegram, a centre for crypto media relations, a Forbes Middle East contributor, and a co-producer of the recently released documentary film Encrypted. She has a Master’s degree in international law.
Conclusion
In the upcoming years, blockchain technology is predicted to upend various sectors in the Middle East and worldwide, and women will play a significant part in this transformation. Just because fewer women than males work in sectors connected to technology doesn’t guarantee that trend will continue.
