Women Pioneers in Crypto: Jackie Bona, Valora

Since Satoshi released the bitcoin whitepaper in 2009, the evolution of the crypto industry has displayed an adoption curve similar to that of the internet. Today, millions of people around the world rely on Web3 for a variety of uses – yet there is a valuable component notably underrepresented in its story: women.

According to recent data, only 5% of crypto builders (founders) are women, less than 20% of crypto owners are women, only 29% of NFT artists are women, and only 9% of women that have heard of crypto feel they know enough about the asset class.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are spotlighting several women pioneers in crypto to hear their stories, get their advice for women looking to break into crypto, and learn how being a woman gives them an edge in crypto.

This week, we are profiling Jackie Bona, CEO of Valora, a mobile crypto wallet that makes crypto accessible and easy to use, enabling 6 billion smartphone users worldwide to reliably save, send, and spend crypto as easily as sending a text message. With Valora, you can send funds to virtually any phone number in the world for a fraction of a cent and easily access web3 apps —all from the convenience of your mobile phone.

1. The crypto world seems to mirror the tech and finance worlds in terms of gender; there are women, but the space is heavily male-dominated. What are your thoughts on the dearth of female representation in the crypto space?

The lack of women in the space is definitely a problem. If crypto is supposed to be the future of finance, and the next iteration of the internet that will unlock true ownership for billions, these stats show women will be left behind if we don’t start to level up more equal participation in the crypto economy. As women, why wouldn’t we want a seat at the table to shape the future?

Crypto piqued my interest when I realized there was a massive opportunity to make an impact to change broken systems with technology. Even in my own journey to crypto several years ago, I was hesitant to make the move because crypto didn’t seem like a very inclusive industry - the fact that I didn’t see a lot of people that looked like me didn’t help either. Luckily, I found my first home in crypto in the Celo community where I joined a diverse set of mission-driven people looking to make a change in the world. Having a common purpose and a team that was inclusive and diverse had a tremendous positive impact on my onboarding into crypto. Diversity and representation matter, and without that community, I wouldn’t be where I am today. This is why I believe it’s important for women to take risks and join nascent industries, so they can have their voices heard and influence how products are built until it’s more equitable for all.

2. Why did you get into crypto and how did you get started?

Why did I get into crypto? It was a combination of personal passions and professional alignment, while also seeing the potential to make a real impact on something that mattered. Coming from a multicultural and immigrant background, I saw a massive opportunity for the crypto economy to make the financial system more connected and inclusive. Growing up in the US, and with my parents supporting our extended family back home in the Philippines, I quickly realized that access to opportunity is not created equal. This early lesson continues to influence why I am so passionate about crypto's application in emerging markets and cross-border payments.

Professionally, having worked in product marketing I also saw the tremendous potential to build and offer products that make Web3 feel approachable and accessible to everyone - not just people already entrenched in crypto and finance.

Finding the Celo mission and the founders felt like the perfect opportunity at the time. Here was a team of the right people, who had a big mission, that needed my skillset to bring crypto to entirely new markets that have been historically underserved by our old financial system. Three years later, I’m continuing this work in the Celo community through Valora and couldn’t be more excited for what’s next!

Similar to how web2 opened up access to information, Web3 has the potential to democratize financial opportunity and ownership for all. This mission is at the heart of what we are working on at Valora, and I’m excited for a future where we can provide access to limitless financial opportunities to more and more people around the world.

3. Has being a woman given you an edge in crypto? How has it helped you?

There are some really talented women in the space actively working to empower others through better networking and education - lowering barriers to entry, and building inclusive communities. In that sense, our collective desire to bring more women into Web3 has created an "edge" when traditionally, getting more women in the room has been difficult.

I was lucky enough to join one of the early SheFi cohorts when I started working in crypto in 2020. This was the first time I learned about DeFi and loved the supportive community of women. So while women are still very much the minority in crypto, being a woman in the space has given me access to some really fantastic communities. Organizations like SheFi, she256, Boys Club, among others, are making a tremendous impact  -  not only by making crypto more approachable for women but also creating an environment where you can learn and thrive together (and have fun doing it!)

4. What is some actionable advice you can give to young women looking to get a job in crypto?

My advice would be: take calculated risks to work on something you believe in, even though it might still be very early (with the outcome unknown.)

This leap is important because not only will you learn a ton by being early to something, but the upside is your access to opportunities to build expertise, develop skills and advance your career are oftentimes accelerated in fast moving, early-stage industries like crypto.

I didn’t think that when I joined crypto just 3 years ago, I would be building a company in the space. I’m glad that I took the risk and really wouldn't be where I am today if I had not taken this step to join the Celo team and to eventually launch and grow what is now Valora.

Sometimes you may not know what you will get out of taking the path less traveled, and some might even think you’re insane for working in crypto, but if it’s a project that excites you, and there are smart people you can learn from, it will lead to incredible opportunities to learn and grow!

5. What other female leaders in crypto do you look up to?

I’m such a fangirl of Maggie Love and Porter Geer from SheFi. They’ve built such an amazing community of fun and supportive women that are passionate about advancing women in crypto.

Adelyn Zhou from Chainlink is another leader in crypto I admire. She is an OG and was one of the first people in crypto I got connected to. She’s been an overall super-connector and community builder in the space.

Katie Haun, a legend in the crypto world, has done so much for the industry, not only on a policy front but also by investing in founders and enabling us to thrive and build great companies.

And while I don’t know her personally, I’ve admired Meltem Demirors from afar. I love her hot takes and how easily she explains complex topics in both crypto and finance. We need more of this type of clarity and humor when explaining what’s happening in crypto.

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