Bitget, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is reflecting on the achievements of its Blockchain4Her initiative as it marks a year since its launch. The programme, which began in January 2024, aims to bridge the gender gap in the blockchain industry by providing education, mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities for women in the Web3 space.
The initiative gained international recognition when Bitget’s CEO, Gracy Chen, was invited to speak at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in March 2024. This inclusion highlighted the growing impact of Blockchain4Her on global discussions surrounding diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in the technology sector.
As part of its mission, Bitget introduced the Blockchain4Her Ambassador Programme, enlisting female leaders in the crypto industry to serve as role models and advocates. Among those taking on ambassador roles were Tess Hau, Founder of Tess Ventures; Yevheniia Broshevan, Co-founder of Hacken; and Cecilia Hsueh, CEO of the Layer 2 ecosystem project Morph. The programme aims to create a supportive environment for women entering the blockchain industry, encouraging greater participation and leadership.
Blockchain4Her also made its presence felt at major industry events. In September 2024, Bitget participated in the SheFi Summit in Singapore, hosting the inaugural Blockchain4Her Awards. These awards recognised five outstanding women for their contributions to blockchain, with a separate Southeast Asia edition honouring female entrepreneurs in the region. Among the winners were Jenny Nguyen, Bea Llana, Theresa Tjandrawinata, and Cheryl Law, who were acknowledged for their innovative work in crypto. The “Innovative Web3 Female Entrepreneur Award – SEA edition” was awarded to Tascha Punyaneramitdee.
Beyond awards and mentorship, Bitget launched the “Pitch n Slay” initiative, designed to provide financial backing and professional support for female entrepreneurs. The programme culminated in a final competition in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2024, where participants competed for a share of $100,000 in seed funding from Foresight Ventures. The first-place winner was Julija Bainiaksina, Founder of MiniMe, an AI agent-as-a-service project. Second place went to Doris Hernandez, Co-founder of Functor Network, an automatic layer for AI agents, while third place was awarded to Anne Beh, Founder of Art3mis, an Oracle AI Tarot card fortune-telling platform.
Over the past year, Blockchain4Her has distributed $50,000 to support female-led projects and recognised nine women for their contributions to the industry. The initiative has also hosted over 10 global meetups, attracting more than 1,000 women and providing a platform for networking and innovation. The programme’s efforts have received substantial media attention, further amplifying its mission of fostering an inclusive Web3 ecosystem.
Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, emphasised the company’s commitment to gender equality in blockchain, stating: “Blockchain4Her is more than just a programme; it’s a movement. The future of blockchain is inclusive, and together, we are shaping it.”
Looking ahead, Bitget plans to continue investing in education, mentorship, and partnerships to create more opportunities for women in Web3, ensuring that they are not only participants but also leaders in the evolving blockchain landscape.
