Being a Woman in Web3 - One Experience at a Time

My journey in the world of Web3 began in the early days of 2010-11. Mining was the talk of the town, and I was right in the heart of it. By 2015-16, I took the leap to co-found one of India's pioneering Ethereum exchanges. The journey, although exhilarating, was replete with unique challenges - from battling misconceptions to navigating a predominantly male ecosystem.

A recurring observation during my time in the tech sphere was the unspoken assumption. The deep-tech, male-dominated landscape wasn't unfamiliar, but it took a different hue in the crypto world. Attend a conference or a meeting, and the automatic assumption was – I belonged to "customer support". True, in a startup environment, I wore many hats, customer support being one of them. However, that wasn't my only identity. The more evident this sidelining became, the clearer the deep-seated stereotypes appeared.

As a self-taught techie coming from a humanities background, the initial days were marked by moments of self-doubt. The blend of navigating a space filled with tech "geniuses" and my personal journey of learning was indeed overwhelming. But instead of seeking external validation, I chose to dive deeper, to challenge myself and the doubting voice within.

In trying to avoid any "bad PR", I chose to overlook the inadvertent sidelining – a choice I now introspect with different lenses. Yet, the trials of an entrepreneur, especially when funds are tight and every decision is magnified, can be daunting.

A pressing realization over the years: Tech isn't exclusively a "men's domain", even if it's often perceived that way. To truly make a mark, it's vital to acknowledge your worth and your unique contributions.

For every woman navigating the intricate alleys of tech, especially Web3, I understand the solitude. The imposter syndrome feels very real, very palpable. Yet, amidst all challenges, I've consistently aimed to mentor, uplift, and most importantly, to be seen and heard.

It's no secret – the space has its fair share of men who, despite their average skills, present themselves as the absolute authority. The key difference? They're louder. To every woman in Web3, here's my message: Know your worth, continuously learn and evolve, maintain your integrity, be ethical, and above all, claim your space.

Together, let's shape the future of Web3 – one experience at a time. ??

#Web3 #WomenInTech #Blockchain #Ethereum #Journey