Eowyn Chen’s journey has taken her from a background in finance to her current role as CEO of Trust Wallet, one of the most popular crypto wallets, used by millions around the world. Starting as a consultant with Oliver Wyman, Chen later took on a key role at Binance, where she helped expand the platform’s user base. Her shift into blockchain was driven by a strong desire to empower people to take control of their own data in the digital world.

In this interview, Chen shares how she got started in Web3, the achievements that have established her as a respected leader, and her hopes for building a safer, more open digital economy.

Can you share how you first got started in Web3 and the path that led you to your current role? What key accomplishments have helped establish you as a leading figure in the industry?

My journey into Web3 started with a passion for using technology to create meaningful change, particularly in how to empower people to grow and thrive to be better versions of themselves. I’ve always believed that technology, while it can’t change human nature, has the potential to uplift societies. For me, blockchain and crypto offered a chance to democratize access to financial freedom and data ownership, especially for communities that have been historically underserved.

Between 2017 and 2018, I found myself at the crossroads of AI and blockchain. Back then, San Francisco was buzzing with talk about crypto — it was almost impossible to escape the hype. But it felt chaotic, with many voices and opinions clouded by the market euphoria. Being naturally skeptical of trends, I found myself drawn to the technology even more after the market crash in 2018.

That was the moment when things became clearer. I was fortunate to meet one of Binance’s co-founders, who shared a compelling vision of blockchain as the new infrastructure for value exchange on the internet. It struck a chord with me, and I began to realize how this technology could offer everyday people ownership in a way that technology often reserves for the elite. I began my Web3 career at Binance as an assistant to the co-founder, managing global communities and eventually building the marketing team from the ground up.

At Binance, I focused on scaling the user base, leading the central marketing team to grow it from tens of millions to hundreds of millions. That role was a turning point. It wasn’t just about growth; it was about creating an empowering system that was more inclusive and accessible, with the focus of the users at the center.

What was the moment that shifted your perspective on crypto ownership and self-custody? How it influenced your path from Binance to becoming CEO of Trust Wallet?

In 2018, when Binance acquired Trust Wallet, a casual conversation with Viktor Radchenko, Trust Wallet’s founder, marked a pivotal moment for me. He asked me if I truly owned any crypto, and when I showed him my centralized exchange account, he challenged my perception of ownership.

To prove his point, he sent me 5 BNB (about $25 USD at that time) directly to my Trust Wallet address, no middleman involved. It was such a small gesture, but that experience completely shifted my mindset. I realized the power of self-custody — having full control over my assets without relying on any centralized authority was both empowering and nerve-wracking. It wasn’t just about financial autonomy; it was about responsibility, and that balance between freedom and accountability was what really ignited my passion for decentralization.

But with that control came a new sense of responsibility. I started to wonder how to manage it safely, how to recover it if I lost my private keys, and how different it was from simply using a centralized exchange. It was both empowering and nerve-wracking, and that psychological effect — the balance between empowerment and responsibility—was the magical moment for me. It’s what makes DeFi so powerful, and it’s the foundation of everything else in the decentralized world.

As much as I loved my work at Binance, by 2021, I found myself at a crossroads, eager for a new challenge. It was around that time that Viktor reached out to me for help with Trust Wallet. I’ve always believed that the best products come from genuine need, and Trust Wallet embodied that — an incredible product with strong engineering but lacking any real marketing. I knew I could apply everything I’d learned at Binance to help scale Trust Wallet and bring real decentralization to millions.

When I transitioned to Trust Wallet as CEO, I saw an opportunity to bring this sense of empowerment to millions of others. Today, Trust Wallet serves over 100 million users, giving them true ownership of their assets and control over their financial futures. This journey — scaling platforms that democratize access to blockchain — has been at the heart of my mission and why I’m considered a prominent figure in Web3. I’m passionate about helping more people experience the transformative empowerment of self-custody and growing into financially responsible and aware individuals in today’s world.

How do you approach balancing security and innovation to keep users safe while continuing to advance Trust Wallet’s features?

Trust and security are the foundation for innovation. In the ever-accelerating world of Web3, innovation isn’t just about introducing new features or technologies — it’s about building a future that users can trust. At Trust Wallet, I’ve always believed that security and trust aren’t hurdles to innovation; they are its foundation. Without them, any advancement is on shaky ground.

Balancing innovation with security isn’t a challenging act for us — it’s a seamless integration. Every innovation we pursue is meticulously assessed through the lens of user safety. We don’t push boundaries at the expense of security; we expand them because of it. Our team works tirelessly to enhance the user experience while embedding top-tier security features that often operate behind the scenes but make a world of difference.

Our commitment to security is both relentless and proactive. Between 2023 and 2024, we conducted 86 internal and 12 external security audits. These aren’t just numbers; they’re reflections of our dedication to staying ahead of potential threats. Earning the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certifications wasn’t just an achievement—it was a promise to our users that we’re meeting global standards for security and privacy.

But certifications and audits are just part of the story. We’ve taken tangible actions to protect our community: blocking over $439 million from potential scammers, preventing more than 1.4 million malicious dApp connections, recovering close to $1 million stolen funds, and shutting down hundreds of phishing sites and impersonator accounts. Each of these actions represents our commitment to safeguarding our users’ assets and trust.

The core philosophy of Web3 is decentralization, and self-custody is the foundation for decentralization – empowering individuals with full control over their digital assets. This shift is transformative, but it also comes with significant responsibility. It’s not enough to hand over the keys; we must also ensure that users have the knowledge and tools to protect what’s theirs. That’s why education and robust security measures are integral to everything we do.

For me, the essence of balancing innovation with security is rooted in purpose and transparency. Every advancement must serve our users meaningfully and reinforce the trust they’ve placed in us. We believe that transparency builds trust, and trust is the currency of the digital age.

As we navigate the uncharted territories of Web3, our mission remains clear: to empower users to explore this new frontier with confidence and peace of mind. By making security the cornerstone of our innovation, we’re not just keeping pace with the industry’s evolution—we’re helping to define it. Together with our community, we’re building a safer, more transparent, and truly innovative digital world.

What do you see as the biggest challenges preventing women from entering the blockchain space, and how can the industry address these issues?

Blockchain is one of the most meritocratic industries out there. It’s still young, quickly changing, and driven purely by results. In this space, what matters isn’t who you are but the value you bring. That said, I understand why many women feel uncertain about stepping into it. The industry’s technical and financial focus can seem intimidating, making it feel like unfamiliar ground. But that’s precisely why we should dive in, not step back.

One of the systemic issues we face is the lingering perception that blockchain, like many tech sectors, is male-dominated. This perception discourages women from joining and keeps the field feeling exclusive. Many women think they need a technical background to succeed here, but the reality is that blockchain thrives on diverse skills and perspectives. Whether in tech, strategy, or leadership, women have the potential to lead in every aspect of this space. Feeling like a minority at times is natural, but it shouldn’t be a reason to hold back. We can’t let fear or unfamiliarity define us.

I’ve personally seen women thrive at every level of blockchain. In fact, there’s a growing trend where male founders turn to female CEOs to help scale their companies. Bitget, WalletConnect, and Trust Wallet are just a few examples that come to mind. Personally, I’ve always felt supported by my team and never felt inadequate because of my gender. But more than that, I believe women need to see themselves not just participating in this space, but leading. Whether it’s as developers, product managers, or CEOs, we need to make our presence known and take ownership of the opportunities before us.

Creating a supportive environment is key. We need accessible education, strong mentorship, and communities that uplift and empower women. Blockchain is fundamentally about decentralization and empowerment, and that mission must include women. I’ve been fortunate to have people around me who trusted me, but I also recognized the need to build my own confidence. And when women step up and fully engage in this industry, we’re not just changing tech — we’re redefining the future of finance, leadership, and innovation itself.

So to all the incredible female talent out there: don’t get caught up in the numbers or feel discouraged by how many women are in the room. Focus on delivering value. When you do, you’ll earn respect, and with that respect comes the power to help shape this industry’s future. We belong here, and it’s time to take our place.

What is your long-term vision for the role of women and diverse voices in the blockchain industry?

From its inception, the blockchain industry has been global, decentralized, and deeply connected in the core. It operates without the traditional boundaries that often limit other sectors — offering the freedom to work remotely, collaborate virtually, and participate in a truly borderless economy. These values have laid the foundation for one of the most globally diverse industries, not just in terms of geography, but in mindset and vision.

Diversity is about far more than identity labels. True diversity emerges when different voices, perspectives, and experiences come together, engaging in meaningful, civil dialogue while being united by a shared belief in the transformative power of blockchain. I see the future of blockchain as one that is inclusive and representative of all voices. The technology has the power to democratize access to opportunities, but we need to ensure that diverse perspectives are shaping its development.

I was recently discussing this with a fellow female OG VC. We both agreed: the female perspective, as well as the inclusion of diverse voices, will be pivotal in taking this industry to the next level. There’s an innate strength in the power of women and diverse leaders to empathize, collaborate, and solve problems in ways that are inclusive and forward-thinking. As the blockchain space grows, embracing this diversity will not only help the industry mature but also ensure it serves the needs of a truly global user base.

For women, this means more than just entering the space — it means leading and innovating within it. I envision more women not just participating but founding projects, building technologies, and influencing policy. To get there, we need to continue making the space accessible, fostering mentorship programs, and creating platforms for diverse leaders to thrive. My hope is that in the next decade, diversity in blockchain will no longer be an issue because it will be the standard.