The cryptocurrency space has traditionally been dominated by male investors and entrepreneurs. However, the rise of $Brett, a memecoin created by an anonymous female founder, could mark a turning point for women in crypto. $Brett launched in early January 2022 and has since skyrocketed to a $1 billion market capitalization.
The coin’s mysterious creator, who goes by the pseudonym “Blockchain Barbie,” announced the launch of $Brett on Twitter. The tweet simply read: “Buy $Brett.” Within hours, the coin had attracted a fervent following, mostly composed of retail investors. By the end of the first day of trading, $Brett’s value had increased over 10,000%.
Blockchain Barbie has given few interviews and little is known about her identity. However, her rise to crypto fame has inspired a generation of female investors and developers. On social media, the hashtag #GirlpoweredCrypto has gained traction, highlighting other women-led projects in the space.
Despite the hype, $Brett has little real-world utility. The coin is a so-called “memecoin,” meaning it is primarily used and traded for entertainment and speculative purposes. Memecoins are highly volatile, and $Brett could crash at any moment.
Critics argue the coin’s success is unsustainable and primarily driven by hype. However, supporters counter that $Brett fills a niche in the crypto market that other coins do not. It has also brought unusual attention to the blockchain space, with even non-crypto natives interested in the story of the anonymous woman behind the coin’s rise.
The wild success of $Brett has led to calls for greater inclusion of women in the crypto and tech space more broadly. While crypto remains a male-dominated industry, the rise of Blockchain Barbie and $Brett is a sign the tide could be turning. Whether $Brett proves to be a flash in the pan or the start of a larger movement is still unclear. But for now, it has captured the world’s attention and demonstrated what women can achieve in crypto when they are given the opportunity.
