International Women's Day 2025 at Bitpanda: Driving change from within

Historically, the financial world was littered with obstacles that have held women back – from pay gaps to fewer leadership opportunities and limited access to financial education. In some countries, women needed a male co-signer to open a bank account or apply for credit as recently as the 1970s.

Crypto and fintech initially mirrored this imbalance. Women account for just one-third of crypto investors in developed countries (Gemini, 2022) and make up only 15% of fintech founders globally (Carta, 2024).

But change is happening. More women are stepping into finance and crypto – not just as participants but as leaders, innovators and investors. This spirit of community and empowerment was the driving force behind the launch of Bitpanda’s Women in Tech movement.

Creating a space for women to thrive

In 2022, Bitpanda’s Women in Tech movement was founded by a group of female colleagues. They began by organising an internal workshop and inviting women across the company to share their experiences. The discussion focused on their professional growth, the support they needed, barriers they faced and what opportunities they saw for themselves.

Chloé, Engineer: 

“It was the first time women at Bitpanda came together in a dedicated space to share not just challenges and concerns, but also successes. The energy in the room was incredible… it was amazing to see!”

One key question for the participants was: Do you feel you have enough support to develop your skills and grow in your career? If so, how? If not, what’s missing?

The responses made one thing clear: While there was a strong sense of ambition and drive, many women felt they lacked the right support to take the next step in their careers. Whether it was guidance on leadership, navigating technical roles or building confidence in public speaking, there was a shared need for mentorship and structured career development.

From conversation to action: launching a mentorship programme

After recognising this need, Bitpanda’s Women in Tech group initiated two major initiatives: an official mentorship programme and Brainfood+, an extension of Brainfood, Bitpanda’s monthly knowledge-sharing event. Brainfood fosters collaboration across product and tech teams, providing an open and accessible space to exchange ideas, learn from one another and explore new technologies. Brainfood+ builds on this concept with a dedicated focus on women in tech.

Barbara, Senior Program Manager and co-organiser of Brainfood+: “We saw the need for an extension of Brainfood because, while the original series led to great discussions, it became clear that women in tech face unique challenges that often go unheard. Brainfood+ is all about giving them a space to connect, share experiences and challenge the status quo. Real change starts when people feel heard and supported, and this is our way of making sure those conversations lead to action.”

The mentorship programme is designed to provide direct guidance in product and tech, helping women gain the skills and confidence to take the next step in their careers. Since its launch, it has supported over 30 women in developing leadership skills, advancing their careers and building confidence in areas like public speaking.

Elif, Experience Design Manager and programme organiser, played a key role in shaping the mentorship initiative: "A lot of people want a mentor but hesitate because they don’t want to be a burden… Our goal was to give women the confidence to see and go after the opportunities in front of them –and with this programme, we’ve made that happen."

Alina, Associate Content Designer:
“Since April 2024, I’ve had regular mentoring sessions on data analytics, career growth and task prioritisation… my mentor and I have found overlaps in our work, allowing us to support each other on business-related topics. It’s been a great way to strengthen the network in the product space while fostering collaboration between data and UX.”

A workplace where everyone can thrive

The Women in Tech initiative is just one part of our broader Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at Bitpanda. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender or background, has the chance to grow.

Here’s how we’re making that happen:

• Learning days: Giving employees the space to step away from their daily tasks and focus entirely on skill development.
• Workshops: Hands-on learning is essential for innovation. We bring teams together to experiment with new technologies, solve real-world challenges and build creative solutions.
• Visibility and representation: Representation matters. We actively support women in tech by providing opportunities to speak at industry events, participate in conferences and develop leadership skills.

This same mindset drives the way we build our products. Just as we create opportunities for growth and inclusion in the workplace, we design our platform to remove barriers and make investing accessible to everyone. Whether it’s through intuitive tools, low minimum investments or free educational resources, we empower people to take control of their financial future with confidence.

Bitpanda’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Lindsay Ross, emphasises the importance of financial accessibility: “Breaking down barriers – whether in investing or career growth – means giving people the tools, knowledge and confidence to take control of their future."

Steps for financial independence

Building financial confidence starts with taking control of your personal finances. While the industry is becoming more inclusive, financial independence is a powerful tool for long-term security. Everyone faces different challenges on their financial journey, but with the right knowledge and opportunities, anyone can take steps towards growing and managing their wealth.

That’s why taking control of your finances as early as possible is crucial. The sooner you start, the more options you have – whether it’s saving for the future, investing for long-term growth or building a safety net for greater financial independence.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Learn the basics

Understanding how money works is the first step to gaining control. Start by exploring free, easy-to-follow resources that explain the essentials of investing, budgeting and building wealth. Platforms like the Bitpanda Academy offer straightforward guides on crypto, stocks and ETFs, helping you make informed decisions without needing a finance degree.

For a more structured approach, Bitpanda Money Matters is a great next step. This blog series builds on those fundamentals, offering practical steps for building wealth, setting financial goals and investing smarter in a way that’s clear, actionable and easy to follow.

2. Start small and stay consistent

You don’t need a large sum to begin investing. Start with an amount you’re comfortable with, even if it’s just a few euros per month. Setting up a savings plan can help you invest small, regular amounts over time, removing the stress of trying to "time the market" perfectly.

3. Surround yourself with the right people

Learning from others can make a huge difference. Join groups or online communities focused on women in finance, like Ladies in Blockchain or Women Who Code, where you can connect with like-minded people and gain support. If you’d rather take in information at your own pace, podcasts like Financial Feminist or Girls That Invest are a great starting point, but there are plenty of other useful resources out there to suit every preference.

4. Don’t let myths hold you back

Many women hesitate to invest because they think finance or crypto is too complex. The truth is, you don’t need to be an expert to get started. Financial platforms like Bitpanda are designed to be simple and beginner-friendly, making it easy to buy, sell and learn at your own pace.

The most important thing? Just start. The sooner you take control of your financial future, the more freedom and security you’ll have down the road.

Looking ahead

The journey doesn’t stop after the International Women’s Day 2025, the Women in Tech group kept the momentum going by organising a special Brainfood+ session. Held at our Vienna HQ and streamed remotely, the event brought together inspiring women from Bitpanda to share their career journeys, challenges and achievements. Through open discussions, personal stories and audience conversations, the session highlighted the power of diverse perspectives and encouraged others to carve out their own paths.

The next big step for our Women in Tech group is Daughters’ Day. As part of this initiative, we’re inviting young girls and giving them a hands-on look into careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).