Drop in Women's Representation at EthCC Amid Crypto Layoffs

The participation of women at the EthCC 2026 conference in Cannes has noticeably decreased, coinciding with ongoing layoffs in the cryptocurrency industry. Reports indicate that female roles, particularly in marketing, PR, and events, have been disproportionately affected. Despite some progress in hiring women for Web3 roles, overall female representation in the crypto job market remains low.

Key Takeaways

Women’s presence at EthCC 2026 has decreased compared to previous years, largely due to layoffs affecting roles with higher female representation.
According to the Plexus "state of crypto hiring" report, women still account for less than 8% of all crypto hires.
The layoffs in the crypto sector mimic broader labor trends in technology and finance, impacting non-technical roles.
A significant percentage of women in blockchain report experiences of harassment or discrimination, contributing to retention challenges.

Women networking at crowded EthCC 2026 conference hall

Main Content

This year’s EthCC 2026, a key Ethereum conference in Europe, has seen a decline in women’s visibility, as attendees have pointed out. Many have noticed fewer women in attendance, coinciding with recent layoffs in the crypto sector that tend to affect jobs with higher female representation, such as those in marketing, public relations, and event management.

Sarah Akwisombe, a growth and community specialist, shared insights during the conference, indicating that as the market shifts, the first jobs to be eliminated are often those concentrated with women. She referenced the Plexus “state of crypto hiring” report for further context.

On social media, other women attending the conference echoed similar feelings. A user by the name of @ZoeCatherineF commented on how women are often the first to be let go, with only essential roles remaining during these downturns. Another participant, @Angel__Lou, acknowledged her awareness of the drop in female participation as well.

The Plexus report reveals the stark reality of the situation: women represent less than 8% of all new hires in crypto, despite a year-over-year increase of 137% in female placements in Web3 roles. The report highlights that non-technical roles, particularly in marketing and community engagement, are often targeted for cuts during downturns, leaving women at a greater disadvantage.

This trend is not exclusive to the crypto industry. Broader dynamics in technology and finance are contributing to similar outcomes, where economic slowdowns and rising interest rates have pressured non-technical roles. Companies like Crypto.com have recently announced plans to reduce their workforce, emphasizing the integration of AI, suggesting that job cuts are primarily affecting positions outside core technical roles.

A survey cited by Fortune indicates that 66% of large company CEOs plan to halt or cut hiring through 2026, following significant job losses in recent years. Entry-level job postings have decreased by 30%, while middle-management listings have dropped by 42% since 2022.

FT columnist Sarah O'Connor has observed that job cuts are typically first seen in “softer” positions like HR and marketing, where women are more likely to be employed. This pattern is evident in the crypto sector as well, which worsens existing diversity challenges just as the industry is focusing on institutional adoption and regulatory frameworks.

For women attending EthCC in Cannes, the effects of these trends are tangible. Akwisombe pointed out that the types of roles most at risk from layoffs are often the pathways for those without technical experience to enter the crypto field. She praised the women who have traditionally organized the best events, asserting their vital contributions to the community despite their declining numbers.

The implications of this situation extend beyond mere attendance figures at events like EthCC. According to CoinLaw’s 2026 employment statistics, 28% of women in blockchain report experiences of harassment or discrimination, and 60% of women in fintech have left jobs due to insufficient diversity. This intersection of challenges may lead to a two-tier job market in crypto, where engineering teams may appear to diversify on paper while women’s roles in community-facing positions continue to dwindle as market conditions weaken.