/w=1920,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Louise Macfarlane, Easy Crypto’s Head of Customer Success, picked up the Web3 Woman of the Year Award at the Web3NZ and Blockchain NZ Awards in Auckland last week.
While her day job is helping deliver great products and customer service for users of the country’s largest locally-owned crypto trading platform, Louise also owns and facilitates the Crypto Women Australia & New Zealand online community which has nearly 2,000 members.
Louise has been instrumental in increasing female representation in the Australian and New Zealand grassroots crypto space. Louise's weekly newsletter, educational initiatives, and advocacy work have been praised for their ability to break down complex concepts and help make web3 more accessible, empowering women to safely navigate this space.
“Her tireless dedication to financial literacy, education and creating platforms for women is a testament to her genuine passion for collective progress,” the Web3NZ and Blockchain NZ community noted within their submissions.
Web3NZ caught up with Louise to reflect on Web3 developments in 2024 and what lies ahead for her and the industry in 2025.
Louise Macfarlane, Web3 Woman of the Year.
What was the most significant development in 2024 in the Web3 space from your perspective?
“The most significant development in 2024 in the Web3 space for me has been the surviving and thriving of many projects through the bear market.
“We have seen many blockchains like Polygon, Ethereum and Cardano continue to develop and improve key features. Polygon has announced some major mainstream global partnerships like Mastercard, Adobe and Disney, showing that "normie" companies want to be more involved with the Web3 space.
“Ethereum has announced proposed improvements to the functionality and Cardano has been holding worldwide working groups on how to better deliver governance.
It's been a tough year for STEM programmes with the likes of Nanogirl Labs shutting down. What do you think is the key to supporting young women to get engaged in tech as a career, and Web3-related tech in particular?
“The key to supporting young women in the tech space is ensuring that they have exposure to it, that can then be developed into an interest.
“Making safe spaces where all questions are welcomed and ego is removed is key. Women are naturally looking more at the future and how we can shape the future, so this is a natural space that we would want to be part of.”
What's your big objective for 2025?
“Gosh this is a good one!
“In 2025 I want to focus on education and the simplification of the world of Web3 so more people can get involved and take charge of their digital future.”
Louise is a leading educator and advocate for Web3 Women. Join her facebook group Crypto Women Australia and New Zealand, ladies or connect with her on our Web3NZ Community.