As many of you know, the Drofa Comms team, Alina Sysoeva and Maria Tunikova, recently attended EthCC[9], one of the largest gatherings in the blockchain and crypto ecosystem. 

The conference took place from March 30 to April 2 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, bringing together thousands of builders, researchers, founders, and policymakers. And our Women Leading the Way initiative was proud to attend as an official community partner.

Over four days of panels, side events, and countless conversations, our team picked up on something that came up again and again — the state of women's presence in the space. 

Here are key findings from the floor that stood out: 

• Participation is growing. More women attended EthCC[9] than at previous editions — something attendees noticed, shared with us, and were genuinely glad to see.

• Dedicated programming is still lacking. Despite the progress, many female leaders flagged that there are still not enough women-led panels, and not enough dedicated initiatives at major industry events.

• The Women Leading the Way mission resonates. Every conversation our team had about the project was met with genuine interest and enthusiasm.

• The industry knows where it needs to go. Many people expressed the same hope — that one day, “women in crypto” will no longer be a category that needs its own panels and initiatives. It will simply be normality.

That future is worth working toward, but it won't happen on its own. Closing the distance between women's growing involvement and the industry infrastructure needed to support it takes more visibility, more dedicated programming, and more advocacy.

Women Leading the Way is committed to that work, and EthCC[9] reminded us just how much it matters.