Almost three decades since the internet catalyzed dramatic changes in the world of communication, finance and entertainment, the conception of Bitcoin and the subsequent growth of blockchain technology have similarly revolutionized key aspects of global life. Of these aspects, the gambling industry offers one of the most intriguing case studies. An industry that has thrived for centuries, its adaptation to digital platforms signaled major transformation. The twist, however, lies in the uptake of the nascent invention of blockchain technology, and specifically, its cryptocurrency darling – Bitcoin.
Yet, as the zeitgeist veers towards gender parity, a question emerges: where are the women in the Bitcoin gambling industry?
The Role of Women in the Bitcoin Gambling Industry – Still a Man’s World?
Prior to delving into the gender dynamics, let’s set a brief context for the intersection of the three key elements in this discourse – gambling, cryptocurrency and gender. Gambling is as old as time, with documented evidence of the activity dating back thousands of years. The advent of the internet led to the establishment of online casinos starting in the mid-1990s, bringing gambling to digital platforms.
The introduction of Bitcoin in 2009 by an anonymous entity, Satoshi Nakamoto, initiated an enthralling chapter in the virtual world. One of the reasons Bitcoin has gained traction is its independence from a central authority, providing users with a level of privacy and security. Inevitably, the online gambling sector picked up Bitcoin for its advantages and the relative ease of integration into the digital platform.
Then we come to a more complex and deeply entrenched issue – gender. The tech industry has been a notorious boy’s club. Similarly, gambling and Bitcoin both function in dominantly masculine lakes. According to a 2019 Google Analytics survey, 96.57% of Bitcoin community engagement comes from men. In the gambling world, despite a surge in female gamblers, the industry is still majorly controlled by men, particularly at the corporate and entrepreneurial levels. Hence, stakes were high when Bitcoin knocked on the doors of the online gambling industry.
However, to merely mull over the overwhelming male majority would be to ignore the groundbreaking women that have been firm in assertion and action. We see a rising cadre of women challenging norms, disrupting industries and stamping their marks in this amalgamation of gambling, Bitcoin, and digital innovation.
Leading by Example
Leading this charge in the Bitcoin gambling industry are women like Toni Lane Casserly, co-founder of CoinTelegraph, a digital media platform covering cryptocurrency, blockchain, decentralized applications, the internet of finance and the next-gen web. She is also a thought leader in blockchain and the cryptocurrency industry, being an advisor to several successful initial coin offering (ICO) campaigns.
Dr. Linh Thanh Nguyen, is an accomplished woman of the cryptocurrency world. She is recognized as the first person to successfully combine retail and blockchain in Vietnam. She successfully initiated Kyrrex, a digital wallet for various cryptocurrencies and an exchange platform for traders of different skill levels.
Other notable figures making significant headway include Alena Vranova, the co-founder and former CEO of SatoshiLabs – a company responsible for creating some of the most trusted and widely used Bitcoin technologies worldwide. Today, Vranova is a board member and Head of Strategy at the crypto wallet solution provider, Casa.
Influence Beyond the Banking
However, women’s roles in the Bitcoin gambling industry extend beyond the obvious payments and financial realms. They are establishing themselves as influencers, entrepreneurs, market strategists, developers, and in many other paths that contribute to the growth of the industry.
Take Perianne Boring, foundress and president of the Digital Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on policy making related to cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and more. Boring could be lauded for her role in creating a helpful set of regulations for the cryptocurrency market.
In the non-profit realm, Connie Gallippi, founder of BitGive, has shown a different way to use the decentralized finance. Gallippi’s organization uses Bitcoin for charitable causes, demonstrating both potential societal benefits and the flexibility of cryptocurrencies; a point to which the Bitcoin gambling industry can pay heed.
Moreover, Elizabeth Stark, the CEO and co-founder of Lightning Labs, leads the development of the Lightning Network that aims to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper. Other names like Rachel Siegel, popularly known for her crytpo-focused YouTube channel ‘Crypto Finally’, and Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple and Stellar, are other women trailblazers taking the industry leaps and bounds ahead in unique ways.
Women Breaking Boundaries
While it’s undeniable that there’s still much work needed to be done towards achieving gender equity in this paradigm, the increasing presence of female influencers in the Bitcoin gambling industry paints a promising narrative.
An interesting offshoot of this tale is the potentially empowering nature of Bitcoin for women. The usual obstacles like gender identity verification and safety are non-issues with Bitcoin.
As we look at the Bitcoin gambling industry, it is essential to acknowledge the work of the women who are contributing and revolutionizing this sphere. Whether their role exists in developing technology, running exchanges, influencing through social channels, or advocating for better policies, they are making a difference.
As Bitcoin gallops and the online gambling industry rides along, the gender disparity still beckons for addressal. The women leading the charge today are paving the way for a more balanced distribution of influence in this thrilling milieu. And as they do, they are inviting more women to partake and more industries to take note.
Sources:
Google Analytics, 2019
Bitcoinwiki – Toni Lane Casserly
LinkedIn – Dr. Linh Thanh Nguyen
Kyrrex
LinkedIn – Alena Vranova
Digital Chamber of Commerce
BitGive
Lighting Labs
CoinDesk – Women in Blockchain
Crypto Finally Youtube Channel
Coindesk – Jed McCaleb Genius
Forbes – Women Leading The Crypto Charge
The Guardian – Female Crypto Traders
