Imagine a dimly lit room with red lacquered walls in an upscale hotel. A group of men, some in hoodies, others in business suits, and a few in sunglasses, loom ominously around a table not adorned with energy drinks or laptops but with women serving as platters for sushi.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of the editorial team at crypto.news.
Each week, crypto.news presents #hashtag hearsay, a column of rumors and stories that are shaping the world of crypto. If you have a tip, feel free to reach out to Dorian Batycka at [email protected]
No, this isn’t a casting call from the Weinstein era in Hollywood in the 1990s. Instead, it’s another entry in #hearsay, a weekly column delving into the steamy underbelly of the crypto world.
In this week’s episode, we delve into the scandal surrounding Copper’s use of sushi models at their event afterparty, as exposed by the Financial Times. The digital asset manager was caught using scantily clad models as serving platters for sushi at the Digital Asset Summit afterparty held at the Mandrake Hotel, a notorious establishment in London owned by Rami Fustok. Welcome to the realm of underground crypto ‘bro’ culture, where shady deals and misogyny run rampant.
Copper Technologies, the company behind the event, is not known for its social justice initiatives. The company has ties to weapons dealers and sanctioned bankers from Russia. In 2023 and 2024, both Jonatan Zimenkov and Mikhail Klyukin were discovered to have engaged in transactions with the company amounting to millions of dollars, despite being sanctioned by UK and US authorities.
Let’s face it, the crypto world is predominantly male-dominated, creating an echo chamber fueled by testosterone where women are a rare sight and often subjected to abuse. Prominent figures like Laura Shin have faced online harassment and threats within the crypto community. The lack of gender diversity and the prevalence of misogyny in the industry have been widely criticized.
Tron (TRX), a token launched in 2018, faced backlash for partnering with a blockchain-based porn platform, highlighting the objectification of women in the crypto space. Gender diversity in executive teams and boardrooms within the industry remains a pressing issue.
While women are still a minority in the crypto space, there are initiatives like DeSci in London that bring together female voices and perspectives. The industry needs to address the toxic male culture that prevails and work towards a more inclusive and equitable environment.
As I finish my sushi, I reflect on the need for change in the crypto industry. It’s time to move away from the greed and misogyny that have tainted the sector and embrace diversity and innovation. Could the future of crypto be one where SushiSwaps take precedence over sushi rolls? Only time will tell.