SheCrypto

Kelly Ann Collins

Whether you’re here to learn, catch the latest tea, or make connections, you’re in the right place. 🤩 Your keys. Your vibe. Your tribe. www.shecrypto.org

  1. -2 h

    Behind The Scenes at BTC Prague

    Every conference has the moments you see on stage.The best ones usually happen everywhere else.This week on SheCrypto, our DMV Liaison, Yaeunda Pou, takes over the host’s chair and interviews Laura Suárez León and me about everything that happened during our trip to BTC Prague, one of Europe’s largest Bitcoin conferences.This felt different - because, for the first time in a while, we weren’t at an event as official media partners, running from interview to interview or managing panel talks. We went on our own. And that gave us the chance to slow down, explore the city, have meaningful conversations, and experience the conference from a completely different perspective.Of course, it didn’t take long for things to get interesting.What I thought was a spam email turned out to be an invitation from BTC Prague Co-founder Matyáš Kuchař to a VIP event at Lobkowicz Palace inside Prague Castle. When I got there, I found myself walking into a room filled with some of Bitcoin’s most recognizable names, including Adam Back, Jack Mallers, and Michael Saylor, in addition to many entrepreneurs, investors, and builders who have been working to shape the future of this industry.But, one of my biggest takeaways wasn’t about Bitcoin at all.It was realizing that no matter how successful someone becomes, everyone is still learning, asking questions, making connections, and getting excited to meet people they admire. Strip away the titles, the companies, and the net worth, and we’re all just people trying to build something meaningful.Outside the conference halls, some of our favorite moments happened with the community.We hosted a SheCrypto and Women In Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund “Women In Bitcoin Breakfast” in Prague’s Old Town, bringing together women from around the world before the main conference even began. Later that week, we attended an incredible sold-out SatoShe side event, where 80 women gathered to connect, share ideas, and support each another.Those conversations reinforced something we’ve believed from the beginning - women want to be here. We’re building companies, investing, educating, creating communities, and helping shape the future of Bitcoin. The challenge isn’t interest. It’s access.Laura shares one story during the episode that perfectly captures why SheCrypto, and the Women In Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund that supports it, exists. While networking, one male executive questioned why initiatives focused on women in Bitcoin were even necessary. Then, just minutes later, he asked if she knew a woman who could fill an open operations leadership role at his company.Sometimes the answer is right in front of us.When more women are in the room, opportunities naturally follow.That’s exactly why we continue building partnerships, organizing events, and helping women attend conferences around the world through the Women in Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund (which has send more than 2,000 women to events for free since its 2025 launch). BTC Prague reminded us that the future of Bitcoin won’t be built by one type of person. It will be built by the people willing to show up, contribute, ask questions, and keep learning together.We hope you’ll join us for this behind-the-scenes conversation, and if you’ve ever wondered whether attending a Bitcoin conference is worth it, this episode might just convince you to book your next flight.See you in the next city. ✈️🧡All my best,Kelly Ann Collins In this episode: * What changes when you attend a major conference without media obligations * The “spam” email that turned into a Prague Castle VIP invitation * Watching Jack Mallers line up for the Q&A like everyone else * The sold-out SatoShe women’s event: 80 women and one clear message about deman d * How women are showing up, connecting, and leading at global blockchain events * Why access to the highest rooms is still unevenly distributed, and the fund working to change it * An open invitation: partner with SheCrypto to bring women to your main stage Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction to SheCrypto and Co-Hosts * 06:43 The Unfiltered BTC Prague Experience * 14:12 The Shift in Women’s Presence in Crypto * 18:05 Lessons Learned and Bringing It Home Resources & Links: * SheCrypto → https://shecrypto.org * BTC Prague → https://btcprague.com * Yaeunda PouLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/yaeundapouX → https://x.com/yaeunda * Laura Suárez LeónLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/laurasuarezleon X → https://x.com/laissuInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/lauraisuarez * Kelly Ann CollinsLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/itskacX → https://x.com/itskacInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/kellyann.xyz * SheCryptoLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecryptohqInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/shecryptohqX → https://x.com/shecryptohqFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/SheCryptoTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@shecryptomediaThreads → https://www.threads.com/@shecryptohq Want to bring SheCrypto to your event? We partner with conferences and companies ready to put more women in the room, and on the stage. Reach out and let’s make it happen. kac@shecrypto.org 💫 Let’s keep shining, keep building! SheCrypto is powered by the people (yep, that’s you 🚀). Want the alpha and the vibes delivered straight to you? Smash that subscribe button. This episode and all SheCrypto content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice. Always DYOR. Get full access to SheCrypto at www.shecrypto.org/subscribe

    24 min
  2. 12 Million New Crypto Holders Can't Be Wrong

    21 mai

    12 Million New Crypto Holders Can't Be Wrong

    She’s a caregiver in Alabama managing finances at 2 a.m. … A single mom in Texas who rebuilt her finances from scratch. … A retiree who just bought her first Bitcoin. … If you’re still picturing a hoodie-wearing tech bro when you think “crypto holder,” the National Cryptocurrency Association’s 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report is here to lovingly correct you. Ali Tager, communications lead at NCA and host of the Crypto, Explained podcast, joins Laura and me, fresh off the conference circuit - SXSW, Bitcoin and XRP in Vegas, and a blockchain stop in Miami - to break down what 10,000 U.S. crypto holders told The Harris Poll this year. Spoiler: the findings hit different. Here’s what the data actually shows: * Crypto ownership jumped from 1 in 5 to 1 in 4 U.S. adults in a single year - that’s 67 million people * 12 million new Americans entered the market in the past year alone (the combined population of NYC + LA) * Women are the fastest-growing segment - 42% of new holders identify as female, up from 34% among earlier adopters * Older Americans are joining too: 28% of new holders are 55+, double the share from prior years * The average holder has less than $5,000 on chain - and more than half of all holders earn under $150K * 41% send crypto to friends and family (up from 31% in 2025), 40% shop and pay with it, and 19% donate to charity * 87% of holders are actively using crypto - up from 80% last year * 54% say crypto has increased their financial independence (up from 49%) * 77% say crypto has had a positive impact on their lives - vs. just 3% who say negative * 83% feel proud, 81% feel confident, and 78% feel empowered about their financial lives * 90% plan to buy more crypto in the next year; 72% plan to spend it; 65% plan to send it to friends or family * 69% of holders trust crypto - edging out the 65% who trust traditional banking * 76% want their bank to let them buy and manage crypto alongside regular accounts * 82% expect the overall crypto market to grow over the next 5 years * The South holds the biggest share of crypto holders at 38% - not Silicon Valley And, a few stats worth adding to round out the picture: * The 87% active usage rate (up from 80%) - a powerful signal of crypto moving from buy-and-hold to daily utility * The 90% purchase intent and the breakdown of how people plan to use crypto next year (buy, spend, send, donate, pay employees) * The “paying employees” stat - 37% of holders plan to send crypto to employees, which is a huge signal for the future of payroll * 76% want bank integration - not to replace banks, but to work alongside them * 82% bullish on the 5-year market outlook * The trust gap between crypto (69%) and traditional banking (65%) - that one deserves its own moment * The emotional impact stats: 83% proud, 81% confident, 78% empowered * The gaming surge (20% → 28%) and property tokenization growth (15% → 19%) * Regional breakdown: South 38%, West 27%, Northeast 18%, Midwest 18% This is crypto going from novelty to normalcy - and the SheCrypto community has been ahead of this curve all along. Want to dig into the full report? → https://nca.org/resources They called it a boys’ club. The data disagrees. Join the women rewriting the story - one block at a time. Get full access to SheCrypto at www.shecrypto.org/subscribe

    31 min
  3. Meet Ania Szpak: Chief Legal Officer at Nexus Mutual

    15 mai

    Meet Ania Szpak: Chief Legal Officer at Nexus Mutual

    The legal side of blockchain is evolving fast, and leaders like Ania Szpak are helping to shape what comes next. In a recent conversation with SheCrypto, Ania shared her journey from traditional law into the world of blockchain, DeFi, and digital asset regulation, along with insights into the growing role women can play in the future of Web3. As Chief Legal Officer at Nexus Mutual, Ania works across investments, compliance, GDPR, regulatory strategy, and complex recovery efforts tied to major industry events like FTX. But her path into crypto started with curiosity about innovation and the opportunity to help build new systems from the ground up. Throughout the discussion, Ania explained how legal professionals are becoming increasingly important in Web3 as governments, companies, and decentralized platforms work to navigate regulation, security, and consumer protection while still encouraging innovation. She also highlighted the unique role Nexus Mutual plays in the ecosystem, helping provide alternative coverage solutions for digital assets and decentralized finance users, an area that continues growing alongside the broader crypto industry. For women considering careers in blockchain law, compliance, or regulation, Ania emphasized that the industry needs more diverse voices and perspectives. “The legal work in crypto is complex but rewarding,” she said. “Women in blockchain can make a huge difference.” The conversation also explored how emerging technologies, including AI tools, are helping legal and compliance teams work more efficiently in an increasingly global and fast-moving environment. As blockchain adoption continues expanding worldwide, leaders like Ania are helping bridge the gap between innovation and regulation, while opening doors for the next generation entering the space. Learn more about Ania: LinkedIn profile SheCrypto is supported by the community, for the community!Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Learn more about SheCrypto.- SheCrypto’s mission -- DYOR and read the disclaimer - Want to connect?💌 Email: partners@shecrypto.org💬 DM: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram DYK? SheCrypto is an official partner of Bitcoin 2027.Lock in your spot before rates increase. 👉 Grab your discounted tickets here! Get full access to SheCrypto at www.shecrypto.org/subscribe

    25 min
  4. 17 mars

    Blockchain at City Hall: Ebony Thompson on Baltimore’s Smart City Initiative

    In Baltimore, blockchain is more than a buzzword - it’s a tool for civic innovation. Meet Ebony Thompson, City Solicitor for the City of Baltimore. She leads the city’s law department while helping drive efforts to modernize property records, address vacant housing, and explore new ways technology can support community revitalization. Baltimore has faced a long-standing challenge with vacant homes, and the city is now exploring blockchain as a way to create a more efficient and transparent system for tracking property records and ownership (since November 2024). The work is part of a broader effort led by Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott to tackle vacant housing and invest in neighborhoods across the city. I first ran into Ebony at a Government Blockchain Association event and was immediately inspired by the work she is doing. It’s exciting to see someone bringing blockchain into real-world public service in such a meaningful way. The SheCrypto team and I are thrilled to be seeing her again this week during DC Blockchain Week at The Digital Chamber’s DC Blockchain Summit, where these conversations will continue.One of the ideas I especially love, which Baltimore is exploring, is fractional ownership - using blockchain to allow more people to participate in the redevelopment of their neighborhoods rather than simply watching it happen around them. That intersection of technology and social good is incredibly powerful. It’s also a natural extension of Ebony’s own journey, which blends finance, real estate, and law - a background that uniquely positions her to think about how emerging technologies can serve communities. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brown University, she simultaneously served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. She later began her career in New York as a Private Client Group Associate with UBS Global Asset Management, working with international clients on wealth management strategies. Alongside her work in finance, she also became a private real estate investor, forming partnerships with leading real estate financiers in Maryland and Virginia to help rehabilitate distressed properties and revitalize neighborhoods. She later became an attorney, bringing together her passions for real estate, financial technology, and the law - a combination that now informs her work in government and her approach to innovation. Today, through Ebony’s leadership and the vision of Mayor Scott, Baltimore is demonstrating how cities can use emerging technologies like blockchain to address real challenges while creating more inclusive opportunities for their communities. It’s inspiring to see leaders using blockchain not simply as a trend, but as a practical tool for progress. Learn more about the City of Baltimore and its work. Instagram → @baltcityhall → https://www.instagram.com/baltcityhall/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-baltimore Website → https://www.baltimorecity.gov Get full access to SheCrypto at www.shecrypto.org/subscribe

    25 min
  5. Inside Europe’s Crypto Policy Shift: Stand With Crypto’s Adriana Ennab on What’s Next

    21 févr.

    Inside Europe’s Crypto Policy Shift: Stand With Crypto’s Adriana Ennab on What’s Next

    Dear SheCrypto friends, Digital Assets Forum 3 (DAF3) in London made one thing crystal clear: the conversation has shifted from “Should institutions engage with digital assets?” to “How do we implement this responsibly - at scale - with the right guardrails?” This week, in a SheCrypto Live! conversation, I sat down with Adriana Ennab, Director of Stand With Crypto International / UK & EU, and Laura Suárez León, SheCrypto’s Strategic Partnerships Lead - both fresh from DAF3 - to unpack what’s changing across institutional adoption, regulation, and the future of blockchain infrastructure in Europe. And there’s a very real action item right now: a UK Parliament petition calling for a pro-innovation strategy for blockchain and stablecoins. → Signatures close March 3. Take a look. So what did DAF3 really reveal about institutional momentum, stablecoin policy, and the future of digital assets in Europe? And why is Stand With Crypto urging the community to act before March 3?Keep reading for Adriana Ennab’s biggest takeaways, behind-the-scenes insights from London, and what comes next for builders, policymakers, and the global Web3 ecosystem.Let’s keep shaping what’s next.— Kelly Ann CollinsFounder of SheCrypto Who is Adriana Ennab? Adriana’s background is exactly the kind of bridge the industry needs right now: * Born in New York, raised in Brooklyn; now based in the UK * Dual American and British citizen * Parents are immigrants (Cuban mother, Palestinian father) * Started at Goldman Sachs as a file clerk, worked up to trading desks (including repo), then worked across London, Tokyo, and Singapore * Returned to finance through the Credit Suisse “returners” program and moved into policy - where she spent a decade helping shape digital policy with a markets-first lens Her core idea is simple: policy works better when it’s informed by how markets actually function - and by the real experiences of everyday users. What is Stand With Crypto (and what does it do)? Stand With Crypto is a global, consumer advocacy movement representing people who use digital assets in everyday life - not institutions. Adriana described Stand With Crypto’s role as: * Bringing real user experiences into policy debates * Pushing for clear, fair, proportionate regulation * Reducing the “translation gap” between builders and policymakers (because they often use totally different vocabulary) Stand With Crypto has built significant momentum: * 3+ million advocates globally * 275,000+ advocates in the UK * 280,000+ advocates in the EU Get involved here: * Stand With Crypto UK: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/gb * Stand With Crypto EU: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/eu/en * Stand With Crypto US: https://www.standwithcrypto.org The petition: why it matters (even if you’ll never hold £20,000 in stablecoins) One of the biggest policy flashpoints Adriana highlighted is a proposed Bank of England stablecoin cap (discussed as £20,000). Even if that number sounds irrelevant to most people, Adriana’s point was bigger: This is about choice and competition. If stablecoins are capped too aggressively too early, it can limit: * SME adoption of cheaper, faster cross-border payments * Startup innovation (and job creation) * The UK’s ability to compete globally as digital finance evolves The argument from Stand With Crypto is: don’t start by restricting the market before it has a chance to prove itself. Build smart oversight - but keep the door open. Signatures close March 3: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730568 What stood out at Digital Assets Forum 3? DAF wasn’t just another “tokenization is coming” conference. Adriana said the energy felt like implementation, not experimentation. Here’s what she and Laura noticed on the ground: - Institutional appetite is moving from curiosity to integration The dominant question is no longer if - it’s how (settlement, liquidity, infrastructure, efficiency, and risk controls). - Policy is no longer theoretical Regulation is actively shaping what gets built and where capital flows. Adriana summed it up in one of her biggest takeaways:“Clarity drives capital.” - The room felt genuinely pan-European DAF had a broader EU mix than many UK-based events, which matters because digital assets don’t neatly stop at borders - and fragmented rulebooks create friction. - Builders and institutions are learning each other’s language Adriana called out something rare: founders speaking in “institutional language,” and institutions increasingly understanding builders. That kind of alignment is how you get real progress. Women at DAF: visible momentum, still room to grow Kelly and Laura raised a key observation: DAF had more women in leadership and visible roles than expected. Adriana’s take: * Women are more visible, but still likely underrepresented in final decision rooms * The bigger goal isn’t “more women in crypto” as a headline - it’s more perspectives shaping the future * She also called out a common confidence gap: women often feel they must be “85% qualified” to step forward, while men may jump in at 40% Laura added an important reality check: in a sector moving this fast, nobody knows everything. Staying curious and connected is the real advantage. Adriana’s rapid-fire highlights What surprised her most at DAF:How aligned institutions, regulators, and founders felt compared to a year ago. Conversation theme that will shape what’s next:Growing seriousness around the consumer voice in policy - not just institutions driving the agenda. Big misconception she had early on:That regulators weren’t going to engage at all. Reality: they do want clarity, but they move carefully - and need broader input beyond big players. How to stay informed (without reading 400-page policy docs) Adriana’s recommendation: start with where the conversation is actually happening in real time: * LinkedIn (regulators, analysts, builders, and policy folks share summaries and interpretation) * X for fast-moving updates and debate * Sign up as an advocate through Stand With Crypto so you receive updates and calls-to-action Connect with Adriana Ennab * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-ennab * Adriana also mentioned she’s active on X and Telegram (primarily for her Stand With Crypto work). Take action: 2-minute checklist If you’re in the UK (or have a UK network), here’s the simplest way to help: * Sign the petition (before March 3): https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730568 * Share it with three people who care about innovation, fintech, startups, or small business. * Join Stand With Crypto: * UK: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/gb * EU: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/eu/en * US: https://www.standwithcrypto.org SheCrypto is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to SheCrypto at www.shecrypto.org/subscribe

    49 min

À propos

Whether you’re here to learn, catch the latest tea, or make connections, you’re in the right place. 🤩 Your keys. Your vibe. Your tribe. www.shecrypto.org