Episode Summary:
In this milestone 50th episode of Beyond the Code, host Yitzy Hammer sits down with Amanda Wick, CEO and founder of the Association for Women in Crypto, for an expansive conversation that goes far beyond the blockchain. Amanda shares her incredible journey—from her days as a federal prosecutor tackling early crypto crimes to her pivotal role in the January 6th Committee’s financial investigation, and now leading a global movement to empower women in Web3. Together, Yitzy and Amanda explore the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, the systemic challenges women face in tech, and the broader forces shaping the new world financial order—topics central to her upcoming book, The Catalysts. Expect candid insights, sharp reflections on government inefficiency, and a compelling case for why Web3 is about more than just "crypto bros." Plus, Yitzy drops an exciting announcement about his law firm’s latest hires!
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introduction: Yitzy welcomes Amanda Wick to celebrate Episode 50 and dives into her multifaceted career.
(01:54) Gender Dynamics in Crypto: Amanda challenges stereotypes and discusses the "motherhood penalty" impacting women’s careers, drawing from Nobel Prize-winning research.
(05:16) From Jersey to Justice: Amanda recounts her path from aspiring FBI agent to federal prosecutor, shaped by a post-9/11 pivot.
(12:22) Crypto’s Criminal Roots: Amanda shares her first encounter with Bitcoin in 2012 as a money laundering prosecutor and how blockchain analytics transformed the industry.
(20:07) Chainalysis & Beyond: Transitioning from government to the private sector, Amanda reflects on her time at Chainalysis and the power of marketing in tech.
(35:00) January 6th Insights: Amanda offers a raw perspective on the Capitol attack’s financial investigation and its broader implications.
(46:28) Founding the Association for Women in Crypto: Learn how Amanda built a global nonprofit from a laptop, fostering education, networking, and advocacy.
(1:04:28) The Catalysts Unveiled: Amanda previews her book, The Catalysts: The Accelerating Forces Forging the New World Financial Order, a 360-degree look at global finance and societal shifts.
(1:14:17) Inspiring Women in Crypto: Amanda highlights three trailblazers—Michelle Gitlitz, Carol House, and Bullish Dumpling—who’ve shaped her journey.
(1:21:06) Yitzy’s Big Announcement: Yitzy reveals his crypto law firm’s first hires—two accomplished women joining the team!
Guest Links:
Association for Women in Crypto: Website
Pre-order The Catalysts: AmandaWick.com ( launching soon) or Amazon Kindle (available early May 2025).
Connect with Beyond the Code:
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