Let's be real. We were all impressed by the CoinDesk and Proof of Talk’s Top 50 Women in Web3 & AI list. Kudos to those women, truly. Nkiru Uwaje, Yasmina Kazitani, Daniela Amodei, Gracy Chen… there’s no doubt about it—their accomplishments simply speak for themselves. Are these lists truly protecting animals or are they, as Bio’s Rebecca Sheff termed it, creating a gilded cage? Are we truly celebrating progress or simply paving the way for our own version of a separate-but-equal future that eventually keeps women on pause again? Think about it: do we ever see "Top 50 Men in Web3" lists? Why not?

Separate Recognition, Separate Opportunities?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: these lists, these "women in Web3" events... they often function as echo chambers. Most importantly, they uplift women and that is amazing! Are they really embedding them into everyday discourse and the actual power structures of Web3?

I've seen it happen time and again. Our most promising female founders rack up invitations to “women in blockchain” conferences and keynotes at “women in crypto” panels. They then go on to be celebrated on “women in AI” lists, and then what? Do they receive as much venture capital funding as their male peers? Do they receive invitations to the big industry events where lucrative, transformative deals are brokered? Or are they afforded the same visibility and opportunity to influence the roll out of this technology in order to improve its…

The Proof of Talk event, for example, is criticized for not integrating women into panels alongside men. That speaks volumes! It inadvertently implies that women’s contributions are somehow different, special, not quite ready for prime time. Most importantly, it perpetuates the very bias it claims to be fighting.

It’s a bit like a digital “ladies’ auxiliary.” Although it’s well-meaning, that still screams that women aren’t really meant to be members of this club.

Unintended Tokenism: The PR Ploy

Let's be brutally honest. What percentage of these companies are doing the whole list/week/pr stunt for PR type thing? An easy way to look good while not solving the real problems that keep women and others underrepresented in Web3?

They trot out their "woman in charge of blockchain initiatives," get some positive press, and then go back to business as usual, with a leadership team that looks suspiciously like a boys' club.

It's virtue signaling at its finest. A shallow, symbolic move that attempts to obscure a far worse, more regressive reality.

Think of it like this: a company donates a small amount to a charity, gets a tax write-off, and then continues to pollute the environment. Similarly, the donation nets them positive press, but their lack of action still perpetuates the underlying issue. The hope is that these lists will sometimes work like musical playlists.

The Real Barrier: Systemic, Not Biological

The obstacles that women in Web3 are facing aren’t physical. They are systemic. Regulatory barriers combined with the lagging pace of academic adaptation impede advancement for all. These challenges are felt by women even more, as they encounter additional pressures in accessing funding, networking opportunities, and mentorship.

We already know that diverse teams make better decisions. It is my opinion, and my experience, that the best innovations emerge equally from the interplay of diverse teams. Not segregated into separate lists and events.

We need:

  • Mixed panels at events, not just "women in Web3" panels: Integrate women into every conversation.
  • Investment in diverse teams, not just surface-level diversity initiatives: Funding needs to reflect the diverse talent pool.
  • Balanced regulatory frameworks, not regulations that inadvertently disadvantage women: Consider the impact of regulations on all groups.
  • Updated academic curricula, not just optional "women in tech" courses: Incorporate diverse perspectives into core curricula.

It’s time to stop simply counting features. To get there, we need to create a Web3 ecosystem that is genuinely inclusive, one in which all people, regardless of their gender identity can succeed.

This isn't just about fairness. It's about innovation. We're leaving brilliance on the table when we don't fully integrate women into the Web3 revolution.

Just think of all the undiscovered talent that’s out there. Millions of bright new ideas never see the light of day as amazing women get shunted aside, ignored, or forced out.

Fewer lists, please. Instead, let us create a stronger future made by the skill, talent, and innovation of all those workers waiting to get back in. Let’s make it happen for real. It’s time to break the bus industry’s gilded cage and create a real level playing field. So that we can help shape the future of Web3 for the better.