CoinCorner’s Joanne Goldy: blockchain has a revolutionary effect

Coin Rivet: Can you tell us how you became involved with CoinCorner?

Joanne Goldy: I used to work for a law firm. Law can be quite traditional, and I guess I was looking for a different industry to work in, something quite new, in which CoinCorner was operating. CoinCorner is a crypto exchange. So, operating in an emerging sector, Bitcoin, blockchain, all these kinds of things and it just appealed to me. Also, we’re based on the Isle of Man. I’m born and raised there, so it was a nice place to come and work.

CR: Do you consider yourself to be techy?

JG: I’m not techy, although I’m very interested in seeing the techy side. But, I am not too technically-minded – I’m more into marketing.

CR: What attracted you to the crypto blockchain space?

JG: It’s a fascinating industry at the moment. From a marketing perspective, everything is very new. We’re sort of in a trial and error phase. The industry itself doesn’t know how to market itself. So the fact that everything is so new, it’s very exciting, because we’re trying out new things. We’re seeing what works for us, what works for the industry and to determine to what customers will respond.

CR: How has Google Ad Words worked out for CoinCorner?

JG: Yeah, Google Ad Words. Done a lot of digital marketing in the past, but over the last few months, I don’t know if you’re aware, Google Ad Words were pulled for companies, also Twitter and Facebook, although this last one has now been back for advertising. We’re faced with quite a challenge recently. That’s a lot of fun for us to come up with ideas. So, we’ve come back to some traditional ways of advertising where we can appeal to customers in different areas.

CR: Now that you mention it, what’s your opinion of these bans by Twitter, Google and Facebook, this last one who recently reversed its position, as you said?

JG: I believe it’s necessary. I think it’s important for the industry as well. We operate within a licenced area on the Isle of Man. So I see it as a necessary step to improving the industry and in developing it, I think for Google and Twitter, it gives them time to hold proceedings and figure out how to deal with this new advertising that is coming forward. There are a lot of legitimate and also some not so legitimate players, so it’s about them trying to weed out the bad players from the good ones and protect consumers.

CR: So, you see nothing dubious behind these bans?

JG: No, I don’t think so. Is it for the benefit of the industry? It was a blanket ban that covered ICOs, which were taking over the ads space and that we all know, many are scams, so the ban gives them time to rethink how to proceed with advertising crypto and blockchain businesses.

CR: Do you see a deficit of women in the crypto and blockchain sectors? What’s your opinion?

JG: I see there is a growing number of women coming into the industry. I’m quite new to the industry. I joined CoinCorner this year, so I see it from a fresh perspective, and I’m a woman who has joined and was very interested in doing so. I don’t feel there were any obstacles for me to join the industry. I didn’t perceive any restrictions. We have three women in our office, and when we grow, we’ll definitely take on more women. I think it seems more male-dominated for the moment, but I do see more and more women getting involved.

CR: Why do you feel the industry is more male-dominated?

JG: It use to be more of a technology industry, and now it’s becoming more mainstream, and I believe that as more women go into tech in general and in education, the industry will develop that way. I think that it was in the past, but the industry is opening up, and more and more women are getting involved.

CR: From a marketing perspective, you must have a different view regarding the future of crypto and blockchain.

JG: I think it’s becoming more mainstream, but I don’t believe it will overtake everything, but instead it will combine with what we currently have. I hope there’s more access to Bitcoin and these kinds of services around the world. That’s what we’re trying to do at CoinCorner.

CR: You speak of crypto and blockchain becoming more mainstream shortly. Do you believe governments, banks and other financial institutions will have an issue with this technology, especially when it comes to decentralisation, profitability and transparency?

JG: I’m new to the industry, so I may not be the right person to comment. However, from a CoinCorner perspective, it’s about trying to educate people. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re interested in learning about Bitcoin, we have plenty of material. We have a YouTube series, and we have a lot of other resources on our website. So that’s our main aim, to relay that message of education. It’s accessible to whoever wants to get involved. So I hope that’s how the future materialises.

CR: Many people are concerned about the volatility of cryptocurrencies and that it’s peer-to-peer. Many still rather trust banks. How do you view this and what is CoinCorner doing to put people’s mind at ease?

JG: The volatility is unmistakably present. We’re seeing a downtime at the moment. My understanding is that is how Bitcoin has been throughout its lifetime and it’s something that potentially will continue into the future. That’s part of what we try to educate people to understand. If people decide to go into cryptocurrency, they need to educate themselves, and they need to do the research and determine if it’s right for them. Also, they need to make sure that they invest what they can afford to invest. However, going back to the volatility issue, well that seems to be part of the industry for the time being. But, this may change in the future when it develops more and achieves stability.

CR: What has been your biggest challenge since you became involved in crypto?

JG: My biggest challenge has been to adapt quickly to the faster pace of this industry. Coming from a law and hospitality background, marketing itself presents many challenges. So I have to adjust and be more proactive. There’s definitely a challenge and also an outstanding experience. There’s a learning curve for everyone in the industry.

CR: You’re biggest personal challenge?

JG: That’s a big question. I suppose learning all about the industry because there’s so much information and it develops continuously, so there’s always something new to learn. Understanding the technical side and the terminology. We at CoinCorner are breaking down the technical and terminology aspect for everyday people so they can understand the industry and so it’s not a difficult language for them to understand. I’m doing that, that’s helping me to learn. When I began, I was thinking to myself ‘oh!, I don’t know what these words mean and the processes’. But, if you work in the industry, you learn very quickly.

CR: Today and very frequently experts in the industry speak of a crypto and blockchain revolution, how this new technology can change the world for the better, end poverty, corruption and increase equality and diversity. How do you view this revolution?

JG: I feel crypto and blockchain have already had a revolutionary effect in the world. It’s turned financial services upside down. I view this as a good thing, to bring in new technology where you have traditional areas and bring more in new dynamics into these areas. So, I think the revolution is well underway, and it’s already giving people more access to more services where they didn’t have access previously or simply to services that didn’t previously exist.

CR: Despite your short time in the industry, do you see blockchain as a tool for redistribution of capital and reduction of poverty?

JG: I believe there’s great hope that it will. I mean, blockchain has different layers you can add to it and applications that will hopefully help fight poverty.