The ongoing Bitcoin 2024 conference, one of the largest gatherings in the cryptocurrency industry, is once again highlighting the persistent gender imbalance in the sector.
What Happened: According to data compiled by DL News, only about 13% of the conference’s speakers are female-presenting, a decrease from approximately 17% five years ago.
This disparity reflects broader issues of gender representation in both the technology and finance sectors.
Studies have shown that women typically comprise about 25% of keynote or standalone speakers at global tech conferences, while across various industries, male speakers continue to outnumber female speakers by a ratio of two to one.
The cryptocurrency industry, in particular, has struggled with gender equality.
Forbes reports that the 17 wealthiest crypto billionaires are all men, underscoring the stark imbalance at the highest levels of the industry.
Furthermore, a recent survey by the Association of Women in Cryptocurrency found that 82% of female respondents believe the industry is not free from harassment.
The speaker lineup at Bitcoin BTC/USD 2024 starkly illustrates this imbalance.
There are more male speakers whose first names begin with “A” or “B” than the total number of female speakers at the conference, based on the event’s website as of July 24.
Also Read: Bitcoin Rebounds To $67K, Ethereum To $3,250: Are ETFs Buying Again?
Molly White, a prominent critic of the cryptocurrency industry, raised additional concerns about the conference in comments to Benzinga.
“I can’t blame women for not wanting to attend a conference where three of the seven headliners have been publicly accused of sexually abusing women,” White stated.
“The much broader crypto community is not doing itself any favors by allowing this conference to be a prominent face of the community,” she added.
White’s comments highlight not only the gender disparity in speaker representation but also broader issues of safety and inclusivity within the cryptocurrency community.
As the industry continues to evolve and seek mainstream adoption, addressing these gender imbalances and creating a more inclusive environment will be crucial.
What’s Next: The upcoming Benzinga Future of Digital Assets event on Nov. 19 is expected to provide a platform for discussing these important issues, offering insights into how the cryptocurrency sector can work towards greater diversity and equality.
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© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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