The story behind Canada's largest Web3 event starts with a payments problem in Kenya. This week, my co-host and I sit down with Laura Leparulo, Marketing Director of Blockchain Futurist Conference and Co-Founder of ETHWomen, ahead of the conference's return to Toronto July 21 and 22. We get into how her sister Tracy's microfinance work in Kenya led to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and eventually one of North America's biggest Web3 gatherings, why the event has stayed community-first while the industry went corporate, and everything to look forward to this year, from the ETHWomen sessions to a water taxi ride to the venue. 🛥️
In this episode:
How a microfinance program in Kenya sparked Canada's largest Web3 conference
From volunteering at Ethereum's first event to Canada's first Bitcoin Expo in 2014
What the Emerald acquisition means for the conference's future
Inside the venue: North America's largest day club and nightclub, cabanas and all
Why community access and fair ticket pricing still matter in Web3
ETHWomen, the SheFi breakfast, and the sessions everyone packs into
Canadian banking, regulation, and the invite only policymaker briefing
The NFT gallery with 120+ artists, the Pepe Muskoka Lounge, and the Tetra water taxi
How to get a complimentary ticket through SheCrypto
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome Laura Leparulo of Blockchain Futurist Conference
01:16 How It Started: Tracy's Journey from Kenya to Crypto
04:19 What Makes Futurist Different
07:10 Community Access and Conference Ticket Prices
09:31 What to Look Forward To This Year
12:40 Arriving by Water Taxi
14:48 Canadian Banking, Regulation, and Diversity
16:08 The NFT Gallery and Reunion Vibes
16:47 How to Get Tickets and Final Thoughts
Resources & Links:
Laura Leparulo LinkedIn → https://ca.linkedin.com/in/laura-leparulo Blockchain Futurist Conference Website → https://futuristconference.com
ETHWomenWebsite → https://ethwomen.com
Kelly Ann CollinsLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/itskacX → https://x.com/itskacInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/kellyann.xyz
Laura Suárez LeónLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/laurasuarezleon X → https://x.com/laissuInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/lauraisuarez
SheCryptoWebsite → https://shecrypto.orgLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecryptohq Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/shecryptohq X → https://x.com/shecryptohq Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/SheCrypto TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@shecryptomedia Threads → https://www.threads.com/@shecryptohq
Attending Blockchain Futurist Conference?
Email tickets@shecrypto.org to request a complimentary conference ticket while supplies last. We can't wait to see you in Toronto!
Want to bring SheCrypto to your event?
We partner with conferences and companies ready to put more women in the room, and on the stage. Reach out and let's make it happen. kac@shecrypto.org
💫 Let's keep shining, keep building!
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This episode and all SheCrypto content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice. Always DYOR.
