Maggie Wu is an early crypto evangelist and a seasoned entrepreneur. Because the CEO and co-founder of Krypital Group and Galactic Holdings—the dad or mum firm behind TruBit—Wu has helped form the expansion of digital monetary inclusion throughout Latin America and past. Her observe report contains incubating Web3 unicorns, securing hundreds of thousands in enterprise funding, and constructing cross-border crypto infrastructure in a number of the world’s most underserved markets.
On this SheVerified interview, Wu provides uncommon perception into what it takes to scale in rising markets, elevate capital in a bear cycle, and keep resilient as a lady driving influence in a male-dominated {industry}.
You had a powerful cross-industry background earlier than launching Krypital and Galactic Holdings. What made you transition into Web3?
All through my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve at all times been captivated with how know-how can reshape the world. In 2017, I delved into blockchain and shortly acknowledged its potential to rework the worldwide monetary system. Although it was nonetheless a distinct segment market on the time, I used to be satisfied it will change into the inspiration of future monetary infrastructure.
What’s your imaginative and prescient for crypto’s function in monetary inclusion, and the way can we guarantee it doesn’t simply replicate the inequalities of conventional finance?
Whereas conventional banking is important, challenges like excessive prices, gradual transactions, and restricted entry persist, particularly in cross-border funds. Crypto permits sooner, extra accessible, and cost-effective monetary companies, particularly for the unbanked.
To make sure true monetary inclusion, we deal with reducing obstacles, bettering monetary training, and prioritizing long-term worth over hypothesis. At TruBit, we purpose to construct an open, environment friendly, and user-friendly monetary system that empowers people.
Your organization can be an investor and incubator of high-growth Web3 initiatives. What qualities do you search for in founders when deciding on which groups to again?
When deciding on funding initiatives, I search for a number of key qualities in founders. First is {industry} understanding and imaginative and prescient—a deep understanding of market developments paired with a transparent long-term outlook.
Then comes expertise and execution means, that means the founder has related background and experience, and may effectively flip concepts into actuality. I additionally worth adaptability and studying agility, the flexibility to shortly modify methods and constantly optimize each merchandise and enterprise fashions.
One other important trait is resilience and market endurance, or the dedication to persist by means of market cycles and navigate challenges.
Lastly, I take into account the potential for international enlargement—whether or not the workforce can scale throughout totally different markets and set up a powerful aggressive benefit.
Talking of worldwide enlargement, you could have efficiently led TruBit’s enlargement throughout LATAM and Asia. What had been the largest challenges you confronted throughout this time?
In Latin America, governments have been introducing regulatory frameworks in recent times, creating a comparatively open setting for crypto. Regulators are typically prepared to collaborate with firms to discover compliance pathways, however this requires time and steady dialogue.
The constructive facet is that customers in Latin America are extremely receptive to new fintech options.
Culturally, our workforce is primarily composed of native expertise, beginning in Mexico and increasing into Argentina, Brazil, and different markets, permitting us to combine deeply into the native ecosystem. Nevertheless, discovering the fitting expertise stays a problem—it takes time to refine and optimize a powerful workforce.
In Asia, significantly Hong Kong and Singapore, crypto rules are forward of the curve in comparison with different elements of the area, however nonetheless evolving relative to the US and Europe. As newcomers to the Asian market, we’re nonetheless within the exploration part.
Nevertheless, robust partnerships and my very own background in Asia have supplied benefits in each networking and cultural adaptability.
Regardless of the challenges, you’ve continued to guide with influence. One standout achievement is elevating capital in a bear market. What classes can founders, particularly ladies, be taught out of your experiences?
Fundraising in a bear market is not only a problem—it’s a real check of resilience and long-term worth.
For entrepreneurs, particularly ladies, my recommendation is to lead with confidence and conviction—buyers must imagine in you earlier than they imagine in your organization. Resilience is equally essential, significantly when navigating the volatility of this market and staying targeted in your long-term imaginative and prescient.
It’s additionally important to leverage your community by actively constructing relationships and seizing each alternative that comes your method.
What challenges have you ever confronted as a lady out of your early days within the {industry}? And what obstacles do ladies proceed to face in crypto management in the present day?
As a lady getting into this {industry}, I inevitably encountered stereotypes and even unwarranted doubts based mostly on gender or look. In a male-dominated area, ladies usually need to work even more durable to show their experience and earn belief. However for me, these challenges have been a supply of motivation. I firmly imagine that true worth creation transcends gender—what really issues is deep experience, steady development, and a relentless drive for innovation and alter.
Within the fields of entrepreneurship, funding, and know-how improvement, ladies are nonetheless very a lot within the minority. One of many largest challenges we face is fundraising—there’s a transparent disparity, with feminine founders constantly receiving far much less enterprise capital than their male counterparts.
There’s additionally the technical entry barrier. This {industry} began with a powerful developer-driven tradition, and for a very long time, there simply weren’t many ladies in technical roles, which made it even more durable to interrupt in.
After which there’s the shortage of assist programs. Many ladies battle to search out mentors or entry the form of skilled networks and sources that may assist them develop.
What are the primary three steps you’d suggest to ladies trying to construct a powerful basis on this {industry}?
For ladies trying to enter the Web3 {industry}, I like to recommend specializing in three key areas. First, be taught the basics—begin by understanding blockchain, cryptocurrencies, good contracts, and DeFi. You’ll be able to shortly stand up to hurry by means of on-line search, {industry} media, on-line programs, {industry} studies, and neighborhood studying.
Second, acquire hands-on expertise. Whether or not by becoming a member of a Web3 firm, investing, or beginning your individual challenge, sensible involvement is extra essential than simply principle.
And third, construct a powerful community. Be part of {industry} communities, discover like-minded friends and mentors, and combine into the Web3 ecosystem as early as attainable.
In your view, how can the {industry} actively assist extra ladies in founding, investing, and scaling Web3 firms?
Establishing devoted funds and incubators to assist feminine entrepreneurs, constructing robust women-led communities for mentorship and networking, and inspiring extra ladies to enter technical roles are all important steps towards lasting change.
A extra inclusive Web3 ecosystem is not going to solely create alternatives for ladies but in addition result in larger innovation and variety within the area.
Disclaimer
Following the Belief Challenge pointers, this function article presents opinions and views from {industry} specialists or people. BeInCrypto is devoted to clear reporting, however the views expressed on this article don’t essentially replicate these of BeInCrypto or its employees. Readers ought to confirm info independently and seek the advice of with an expert earlier than making selections based mostly on this content material. Please observe that our Phrases and Circumstances, Privateness Coverage, and Disclaimers have been up to date.