Maggie Wu is a pioneer in the cryptocurrency field and an experienced entrepreneur. As CEO and co-founder of Krypital Group and Galactic Holdings—the parent company behind TruBit—Wu has contributed to shaping the development of inclusive digital finance across Latin America and beyond. Her achievements include nurturing Web3 unicorn companies, raising millions of dollars in venture capital, and building cross-border cryptocurrency infrastructure in some of the world's most underserved markets.
In this SheVerified interview, Wu shares rare insights into scaling in emerging markets, raising capital during a downturn, and maintaining resilience as a woman creating impact in a male-dominated industry.
You have a solid background in multiple industries before launching Krypital and Galactic Holdings. What made you transition to Web3?Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have always been passionate about how technology can reshape the world. In 2017, I explored blockchain and quickly realized its potential to transform the global financial system. Although it was a niche market at the time, I believed it would become the foundation of financial infrastructure in the future.
What is your vision for the role of cryptocurrency in inclusive finance, and how do you ensure it does not simply recreate traditional financial inequalities?While traditional banks are necessary, challenges such as high costs, slow transactions, and limited access still exist, especially in cross-border payments. Cryptocurrency enables faster, more accessible, and cost-effective financial services, particularly for the unbanked.
To ensure truly inclusive finance, we focus on reducing barriers, improving financial education, and prioritizing long-term value over speculation. At TruBit, we aim to build an open, efficient, and user-friendly financial system to empower individuals.
Your company is also an investor and incubator of high-growth Web3 projects. What qualities do you look for in founders when selecting teams to support?When choosing investment projects, I look for several important qualities in founders. First is industry knowledge and vision—deep understanding of market trends combined with a clear long-term perspective.
Next is experience and execution ability, meaning founders have relevant backgrounds and expertise, and can effectively turn ideas into reality. I also appreciate adaptability and quick learning, the ability to rapidly adjust strategies and continuously optimize both products and business models.
Another crucial characteristic is market endurance and persistence, or the determination to overcome market cycles and navigate challenges.
Finally, I consider global expansion potential—whether the team can expand into different markets and establish strong competitive advantages.
Speaking of global expansion, you have successfully led TruBit's expansion in LATAM and Asia. What were the biggest challenges you faced during this time?In Latin America, governments have introduced regulatory frameworks in recent years, creating a relatively open environment for cryptocurrency. Regulators are often willing to collaborate with companies to explore compliance paths, but this requires time and continuous dialogue.
Positively, users in Latin America are very receptive to new fintech solutions.
Culturally, our team primarily consists of local talent, starting from Mexico and expanding to Argentina, Brazil and other markets, allowing us to deeply integrate into the local ecosystem. However, finding suitable talent remains a challenge—it takes time to refine and optimize a strong team.
In Asia, especially Hong Kong and Singapore, cryptocurrency regulations are ahead of other regional areas but still developing compared to the US and Europe. As newcomers to the Asian market, we are still in an exploratory phase.
However, strong partnerships and my foundation in Asia have provided advantages in both network building and cultural adaptation.
Despite challenges, you continue to lead with influence. A notable achievement is raising capital during a market downturn. What lessons can founders, especially women, learn from your experience?Raising capital during a market downturn is not just a challenge—it is a true test of resilience and long-term value.
For entrepreneurs, especially women, my advice is to lead with confidence and belief—investors need to believe in you before they believe in your company. Resilience is equally important, especially when navigating market volatility and maintaining focus on your long-term vision.
It is also crucial to leverage your network by actively building relationships and seizing every opportunity that comes your way.
What challenges did you face as a woman in the early days of the industry? And what barriers do women continue to face in cryptocurrency leadership roles today?As a woman entering this industry, I could not avoid encountering biases and even unwarranted doubts based on gender or appearance. In a male-dominated space, women often have to work harder to prove expertise and earn trust. But for me, these challenges became a source of motivation. I firmly believe that creating real value transcends gender—what truly matters is deep expertise, continuous development, and unwavering drive for innovation and change.
In entrepreneurship, investment, and technology development fields, women are still very few. One of the biggest challenges we face is raising capital—with a clear disparity, as female founders typically receive less venture capital investment compared to their male counterparts.
There are also technical barriers. The industry started with a strong developer-led culture, and for a long time, there were not many women in technical roles, which made participation more difficult.
And then there is a lack of support systems. Many women struggle to find mentors or access professional networks and resources that can help them grow.
What are the first three steps you advise women to take to build a solid foundation in this industry?For women wanting to enter the Web3 industry, I recommend focusing on three main areas. First, learn the fundamentals—start by understanding blockchain, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and DeFi. You can quickly grasp these through online searches, industry media, online courses, industry reports, and learning from the community.
Second, accumulate practical experience. Whether joining a Web3 company, investing, or starting your own project, practical participation is more important than theory.
And third, build a strong network. Join industry communities, seek like-minded individuals and mentors, and immerse yourself in the Web3 ecosystem as early as possible.
How do you think the industry can provide more positive support for women in founding, investing, and expanding Web3 companies?Establishing dedicated funds and incubators to support female entrepreneurs, building strong women-led communities for mentoring and connecting, and encouraging more women to take on technical roles are important steps towards sustainable change.
A more inclusive Web3 ecosystem not only creates opportunities for women but also leads to greater innovation and diversity in the field.
