Women in Crypto Q&A: Regulator Linda Jeng talks about ‘bombastic’ industry

Linda Jeng is Head of Regulation and General Counsel at the Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI). Jeng is also a visiting scholar in financial technology at the Georgetown University Law Center and a senior lecturer at Duke Law School.

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Jeng spoke to us about why crypto matters and how the room would be better heard “if it was less bombastic” and tried to understand the challenges politicians face “in a world of few resources and support.” In turn, she talked about how her goal in her role on the Crypto Council is to build bridges between the crypto industry and policy makers.

Jeng also addressed the need for the industry to proactively recruit, groom and promote more female engineers and managers.

How did you get into the crypto industry?

LJ: I felt it was random. But if you zoom it out, it makes a lot of sense. I was one of the first ex-regulators to work for a blockchain startup. My first startup realized it needed someone who understood banking and securities regulation and DC politics.

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Can you describe what you do at Crypto Council?

LJ: I am general counsel and chief regulatory officer at CCI. My job is to help drive policy strategy for a stronger and vibrant blockchain economy and to build bridges between the crypto industry and policy makers.

Can you talk about how your past experience shapes what you do now?

LJ: I was a traditional regulator for most of my career before moving into fintech. My perspective remains one of public service and what I can do to help improve the economy and financial system for the underserved and our nation.

What excites you most about the room?

LJ: The open and fair access to financial services together with high transparency.

What do you think should be changed in the room?

LJ: I think the crypto industry would be better heard if it was less bombastic and tried to understand the challenges politicians face in a world with few resources and support.

Can you talk about how the industry is male-dominated and what can be done to change this?

LJ: We need more female engineers and more female entrepreneurs. It’s a sad state of affairs when female blockchain founders make up a single-digit percentage of the industry. I have worked in environments dominated by men, which inevitably distorts the perspective and culture of the organisation. I was in a company that had about 10% female engineers. I witnessed how difficult it was for them to be heard and taken seriously even though they were amazing.

Did you have a mentor and who are the women you admire in the space?

LJ: I wouldn’t say I’ve had the same mentors throughout my career. But I have been fortunate enough to have many people who have been generous in giving me advice at various points in my career. In the end, you still have to figure it out for yourself, and being interested in what I do has always been my north star.

What can be done to make the industry more inclusive? Which companies make targeted efforts?

LJ: The industry should proactively recruit, groom and promote more female engineers and managers. At CCI, we are very deliberate when making hiring decisions.

Why do you think crypto is important?

LJ: Blockchain technologies will be the engine of the global digital economy. It is here to stay, so we should consider how we want to utilize them and for what goals.

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