From earning cryptocurrency by playing the ukulele to becoming one of the industry’s most recognizable content creators, Lea Thompson, better known as Girl Gone Crypto, has built a career that proves there’s no single path into Bitcoin. Now Head of Marketing at Cake Wallet, Thompson is preparing for Bitcoin Amsterdam 2026, where she’ll take the stage, connect with the community, and help introduce attendees to Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. This week, Lea joined me (Kelly Ann Collins), and SheCrypto’s Laura Suárez León for a conversation about her unconventional career, building a personal brand, the importance of mentorship, and why bringing more women together at Bitcoin events matters. The conversation also offered a preview of The Block Party, a November 5 networking event organized by SheCrypto, Crypto Women Collective, and Bitcoin Her, with complimentary Bitcoin Amsterdam conference tickets available through registration. From Playing the Ukulele to Building a Career in Crypto Lea’s journey into cryptocurrency began in 2016, when a friend introduced her to decentralized applications that allowed creators to earn crypto by publishing content. At the time, she was working in technology and experimenting with different side projects, from reselling thrift-store finds to creating online content. She began sharing everything from recipes to videos of herself playing the ukulele. Unexpectedly, those experiments opened doors to an entirely new career. By 2018, cryptocurrency conferences were inviting her to speak about her experiences earning digital assets through content creation. What started as a creative experiment eventually led to international speaking opportunities, collaborations with major crypto companies, and even an appearance in a Super Bowl commercial. In 2019, she officially launched Girl Gone Crypto, focusing on making Bitcoin and cryptocurrency news more accessible through educational videos and social media. Her motivation was simple: she wanted to create the kind of content she wished had existed when she was first learning. Rather than sitting through lengthy technical discussions filled with unfamiliar terminology, Thompson began producing approachable explanations that made complex topics easier to understand. Today, her work spans education, marketing, and industry commentary, connecting audiences with developments across the digital asset ecosystem. From First Sponsor to Head of Marketing at Cake Wallet One of the most interesting parts of her story is her relationship with Cake Wallet. The privacy-focused, non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet was among her earliest sponsors, reaching out when she had only around 500 followers. Over the following years, Thompson collaborated with the company on educational content and other projects. Earlier this year, that relationship evolved into a leadership position when she joined Cake Wallet as Head of Marketing. During the interview, she described the appeal of helping build a product she genuinely believes in. She highlighted Cake Wallet’s focus on privacy, self-custody, and allowing users to manage cryptocurrency without creating an account or completing traditional identity verification within the wallet. At Bitcoin Amsterdam, Cake Wallet plans to introduce more people to its technology through an interactive booth experience. And yes, they’re planning to give away Bitcoin. Thompson explained that the giveaways create an opportunity to introduce attendees to Lightning wallets, sometimes helping people set one up and use it for the very first time. She’ll also participate in a conference panel about building a Bitcoin brand, alongside other recognizable voices in the space, including Randy Hipper, known as Miss Teen Crypto, and Alejandra Guajardo, known as Miss Bitcoin. Why More Women Should Explore Careers in Bitcoin While Lea’s story is unique, her message to other women is clear: there are opportunities throughout the cryptocurrency industry, including for people who don’t come from traditional finance or technical backgrounds. During the interview, she reflected on how quickly companies began approaching her when she first started creating educational content. Even with a relatively small audience, she found that brands needed people who could communicate effectively, explain technology, and connect with everyday audiences. Her experience challenges the idea that entering Bitcoin requires a background in software development, trading, or finance. Marketing, communications, education, design, business development, and community building all play important roles in the ecosystem. She also emphasized the importance of putting yourself out there, experimenting with ideas, and paying attention when opportunities begin to emerge. For women considering a career change or exploring digital assets for the first time, her journey offers a reminder that sometimes the first step is simply getting involved. The Power of Showing Up: From Bitcoin Prague to Amsterdam One of the recurring themes throughout the SheCrypto conversation was the importance of real-world connections. Lea first connected with the SheCrypto team during BTC Prague earlier this year. SheCrypto’s Laura Suárez León recalled recognizing Lea from her online content but hesitated to interrupt her while she was eating. The two eventually met at a SatoShe Soirée event. It’s a small story, but one that illustrates the value of in-person industry gatherings. Online connections become real friendships. Conversations lead to collaborations. And people who might otherwise never cross paths find themselves working together. Lea said that women-focused events are frequently among her favorite experiences. She also highlighted the many women doing important work behind the scenes, including professionals at cryptocurrency companies who may not have large public profiles but are helping build the industry every day. That’s a perspective SheCrypto shares. During Bitcoin Amsterdam, we plan to interview women across the ecosystem, capture their stories, and help bring greater visibility to the people shaping Bitcoin’s future. Because the women building the industry deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. The Block Party: Three Communities, One Room, Endless Connections November 5, 2026 | Bitcoin Amsterdam This year, SheCrypto is teaming up with Crypto Women Collective and Bitcoin Her to bring three communities together for The Block Party. Rather than hosting separate gatherings, the organizations are joining forces to create a welcoming environment where women can connect across networks, industries, and experience levels. The concept is simple: good conversations, drinks, something to eat, and an opportunity to meet people worth knowing. No formal agenda. No pitches. Just genuine connections. The gathering is designed for everyone from experienced Bitcoin professionals to women working in traditional finance who want to learn more about digital assets. During the interview, Laura emphasized that SheCrypto is also reaching out to women in Amsterdam’s traditional finance community. Lea welcomed the idea, pointing out that as Bitcoin becomes increasingly familiar to mainstream audiences, more professionals are looking for opportunities to understand it. She also praised the conference’s support for bringing more women into the event and creating opportunities for them to connect early in the conference experience. For SheCrypto, that’s exactly the point. It’s not just about attending a conference. It’s about walking into a room where you already have a community waiting for you. Free Bitcoin Amsterdam Tickets for Women Here’s another reason to join us in Amsterdam. Women who register for The Block Party can receive a complimentary ticket to Bitcoin Amsterdam 2026. Through this initiative, we’re helping remove financial barriers and creating opportunities for more women to participate in one of Europe’s major Bitcoin gatherings. Whether you’re a founder, entrepreneur, investor, student, creator, or simply curious about Bitcoin, we want to help you get connected. How to participate: * Register for The Block Party through the official Luma event page. * Complete your registration using the name of the person attending. * Receive your complimentary Bitcoin Amsterdam ticket through the event registration process. * Stop by and see us on Nov. 5! Tickets are issued by name and are nontransferable. If you already have a Bitcoin Amsterdam ticket, you’re still welcome to RSVP for The Block Party. Complimentary tickets are subject to availability and event registration requirements. SheCrypto Is Taking the Stage at Bitcoin Amsterdam Beyond The Block Party, SheCrypto will also be participating in the Bitcoin Amsterdam conference program. Kelly Ann Collins will be speaking on November 6, joining industry voices for a discussion about bringing more people into Bitcoin and the evolving digital asset ecosystem. The SheCrypto team will also be connecting with founders, educators, investors, and innovators throughout the conference, producing interviews and spotlighting women whose work deserves greater visibility. Through SheCrypto and the Women in Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund, an initiative of Unstoppable Future Corporation, we’ve helped more than 2,700 women access educational and networking opportunities since 2025. Our mission is to keep opening doors, expanding networks, and making sure women have opportunities to participate in the technologies shaping our future. Amsterdam, We’re Coming for the Connections If there’s one lesson from Lea’s journey, it’s that opportunity can begin in unexpected places. Sometimes it’s a friend introducing you to a new technology. Sometimes it’s a company taking a chance on a creator with 500 followers. And sometimes it’s a conversation at a conference that changes the direction of your career. That’s why
