Rich by Coin

In this episode of Bybit’s career-focused ByYoung series, the spotlight shines on the women leaders breaking barriers and shaping the future of the cryptocurrency industry. Guests include host Jessica (Management Trainee), Natalie Hooper (Head of Business Intelligence), Sophie (Head of Marketing, Payment Business Unit), and Victoria Kiilsyan (Fiat Deputy Head). Our first guest is Natalie Hooper, Head of Business Intelligence at Bybit. Welcome, Natalie.

Next, we have Sophie, Head of Marketing for our Payment Business Unit. Hello, everyone! I’m in charge of marketing for Bybit’s Payment products, including Bybit Pay and Bybit Card. If you’re not familiar with these products, I guess that means I need to do a better job! (laughs)

Lastly, we have Victoria, Deputy Head of our Fiat Operations. Hi, everyone, and thanks, Jessica! I’m Victoria, the Deputy Head of the Fiat Operations department at Bybit. Our job is to bridge traditional payment systems with crypto payments. If you’ve tried it, you know it’s not always a smooth ride! (laughs) Before Bybit, I worked in operations, primarily in the entertainment industry with short-video and livestreaming apps, but it was always in tech. Fun fact: I can explain how safeguarding works much faster and easier than I can explain to my parents what I actually do for work. (laughs)

Thank you for the introductions! Let’s dive into the main discussion. How did you first enter the crypto industry, and what drew you to Bybit?

Honestly, I think my journey into the crypto industry mirrors the tech industry’s path. It started as a male-dominated field. I studied math and physics, and I was the only girl in my physics class. This “male-dominated” environment continued into my professional career, where it was rare to find women in data analytics or leadership roles. But things have changed. Now, I’m working alongside incredibly talented women across all departments. I feel the industry is moving from a “loudest voice wins” mentality to one where women are more empowered to speak up, explain complex concepts, and bring empathy and structure to the conversation. The change has made the industry more balanced and effective. So yes, it’s been a challenge, but I see a lot of positive change and more women being seen and heard.

I completely agree with Natalie. In my previous tech roles, I noticed that the loudest people in meetings often received the most attention, even if what they said wasn’t necessarily the most valuable. But here at Bybit, I never felt like I was ignored because I’m a woman. On the contrary, I’ve always felt empowered. While we all know the crypto industry is still mostly male-dominated, at Bybit, I’ve never felt that it’s been a barrier. Whether it’s in our teams, projects, or user base, men and women are treated equally.

At Bybit, it’s not about whether you’re a male or female leader, or even whether you’re a leader at all — it’s about your competence, your ability to guide the team, and provide clear direction and context so that everyone has the autonomy to contribute meaningfully. I believe one of the greatest things women bring to leadership in this industry is emotional intelligence. It’s not just about being empathetic — it’s about maintaining the team’s functionality in complex, sometimes chaotic situations. It’s about listening, connecting the dots, and keeping things running smoothly. This skill is incredibly valuable in the fast-paced, structured world of crypto. A few years ago, you could walk into a crypto event and the room would be filled with men. But that’s changing every day. Now, even at Bybit, we have so many outstanding female colleagues who are real role models for everyone.

Thank you for sharing your insights. Now let’s talk about the future — what excites you most about the direction of Bybit and your role within it?

What excites me most is that the crypto industry is shifting from being a niche market to becoming the core of mainstream finance. We are witnessing a major transition — what was once seen as an “alternative” industry is now taking over the entire market. For example, the introduction of products like our payment cards is making crypto more usable for everyday purchases. I’m excited because I truly believe Bybit will become a household name in the future, and that’s exciting for my role as well.

For me, the most exciting part is how Bybit is helping drive the global adoption of crypto, not only targeting existing crypto users but also educating those who are new to the space about why they should use crypto and how it can improve their lives. In my role, I’m directly involved in marketing Bybit’s payment products, which allow people to use crypto in their daily lives — whether it’s for buying coffee, paying bills, or paying rent. We’re continuously expanding real-world use cases for crypto. Our products are bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3, and it’s amazing to be part of this movement, shaping the future and making history.

Like Sophie, my work is focused on helping Web2 users step into the crypto world. This is very exciting to me because we’re building a full ecosystem that not only serves professional traders but aims to serve everyone. This shift is what I find most exciting.

Finally, what advice would you give to young women — or young people in general — who are just starting their careers or thinking about transitioning into crypto? What can they expect when applying to Bybit or considering a career switch?

My advice is always: be curious and ask questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Many people hold back because they’re worried about what others might think, but I believe the real mistake is not asking at all. Also, if you have a technical background like I do, dive into the technical details. The more you understand how systems work, the better you’ll understand the business and the industry, and it will make you more confident and credible in your role. This will be an asset no matter what position you’re in.

I would also say, based on my own experience, that you need to trust yourself. Everyone experiences imposter syndrome, but you can gain confidence by doing and experimenting. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes — see them as opportunities to learn, not reasons to punish yourself. In the fast-paced world of crypto, especially at Bybit, there are plenty of opportunities to experiment, and even if you fail, you’ll learn a lot and be better next time. Over time, you’ll build confidence, and this industry is perfect for practicing that.

My advice is: don’t wait until you feel 100% ready to take on a new role or lead a project. The truth is, no one is ever fully “ready.” Especially in crypto, which is constantly evolving, you don’t need to fit into an established mold — you can help create that mold. Also, like Natalie said, understanding how systems work in-depth will help you see the bigger picture and be more confident in achieving your goals. Stay curious, and apply to Bybit — it’s one of the best ways to gain experience in the crypto industry.

Before we wrap up, I just want to mention that Bybit is a very family-friendly company, and I remember you sharing some fun experiences, like during Halloween. Yes! It’s something I really appreciate about Bybit. Many women leaders also have families, and I’m a mom with two kids, but I’m still able to work in a leadership role at Bybit. This company truly supports work-life balance. For example, during Halloween, we welcomed employees’ children into the office, and it was so nice to see them running around. We were still able to work, but it felt great to have the space for our families.

Yes! Bybit has these adorable mini T-shirts with the Bybit logo for employees’ kids. I don’t have kids, but all my friends who do love them. It’s just another example of how the company supports families. And pets, too! (laughs) We might need to make dog T-shirts next! But seriously, Bybit also sponsored the Tomorrowland festival recently, which was a huge event. We had our own stage in Brazil, and we created a party for the festival attendees. It really showed that crypto is not just about trading or complex tech — it’s about having fun and creating positive experiences. And by the way, the initiative was led by women!

It’s true! We do the same thing internally. Every Friday, we have a team meeting where we discuss work-related issues, but we also set aside time for casual chats — talking about life, gossiping, just being human. This makes working at Bybit feel less like a job and more like a community.

Thank you so much to all three of you for sharing your amazing stories today. This conversation has been inspiring, and I’m sure it will help many of our viewers find the courage to pursue careers in crypto. Thank you, everyone, for tuning in to Episode 5 of ByYoung. Stay tuned for the next episode, and until then, keep shining and keep building your own path.