The nomination of Timmy Shen, The Block’s Asia Editor, has raised eyebrows in the industry. As confirmed by The Block’s Editor-in-Chief, Tim Copeland, Shen was shortlisted for his work in crypto journalism, despite the fact that the awards are generally associated with female professionals.
Shen’s inclusion in the nominations has led many to question how he ended up on the list, especially since the Rising Women in Crypto Awards was specifically designed to spotlight women making significant strides in the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
The Nomination Process
The nomination process for the Rising Women in Crypto Awards is somewhat opaque, and it remains unclear whether Shen personally submitted his name for consideration or if someone else put his name forward.
Some speculate that Shen may have entered the competition himself, while others suggest that his candidacy could have been proposed by a colleague or supporter.
Regardless of the submission process, Shen now finds himself up against a competitive field of accomplished female journalists within the industry, including Blockworks’ Casey Wagner, Decrypt’s Chidirim Ndeche, and Cointelegraph’s Guneet Kaur, who are all contenders for the same award.
The nomination has ignited a debate on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech and crypto sectors, especially considering that the industry has historically been dominated by men.
Critics argue that placing a male journalist in a category dedicated to women’s achievements in crypto might undermine the purpose of the award, which is to elevate women who have made remarkable contributions in a male-dominated space.
Celebrating Women in Crypto
The Rising Women in Crypto Awards was created to recognize the increasing role women are playing in shaping the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Categories in the awards include “Best Crypto Compliance Expert,” “Best NFT Creator,” “Best Blockchain Developer,” and “Best Founder,” each highlighting the contributions of women in these specialized areas.
The awards aim to inspire future generations of women to take leadership roles in the rapidly growing industry.
However, Shen’s nomination is a reminder that, while the crypto space is undeniably growing, its efforts toward gender equality and inclusion remain a work in progress.
The controversy surrounding his nomination may prompt discussions on how these awards can be further refined to ensure they remain true to their original mission—celebrating the achievements of women in crypto and empowering the next wave of female innovators.
The Jury and Voting Process
The nominees for the Rising Women in Crypto Awards will be judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts. This year, the panel includes Simone Maini, the CEO of Elliptic, Elo Gimenez, Global PR Director at Consensys, and Alena Afanaseva, the founder of BeInCrypto. Their expertise and input will play a critical role in determining the winners of each category.
Public voting for the awards is open until December 10, with winners set to be announced on December 13. Shen, along with other nominees, will have to wait for the final results, as the crypto community eagerly anticipates the outcome of this year’s awards.
Reactions from the Crypto Community
The crypto community has had mixed reactions to Shen’s nomination. Some people have expressed surprise and confusion, given the nature of the award, while others have defended the nomination, emphasizing that anyone, regardless of gender, who contributes significantly to the crypto world, should be recognized.
Meanwhile, many are curious to know how this controversy will affect the reputation and future direction of the Rising Women in Crypto Awards.
Protos, a leading news outlet in the crypto space, has reached out to both Wirex and Timmy Shen for comment regarding his nomination.
However, no official response has been provided as of yet. The media company has promised to provide updates should they receive further clarification.
In the meantime, the controversy continues to serve as a focal point for discussions about gender representation in crypto. It raises the question of whether more initiatives should be introduced to ensure that awards, programs, and other recognition efforts align with the growing call for greater inclusion of women in the tech and finance sectors.
