Crypto pioneer Vera Claas: Female power in the financial world!

Crypto pioneer Vera Claas: Female power in the financial world!

Vera Claas, managing director of the crypto start-up NXT Assets, has an impressive career in the financial industry and speaks openly about the challenges she has had to overcome in her career. In particular, recognizing and respecting your own boundaries is one of the most formative experiences. In order to remain efficient in the long term, Claas has learned to charge her battery in good time. In an industry where there is a shortage of men, she often feels like the only woman. However, she consciously accepts this role in order to empower other women and create a space of support.

The experience Claas gained in the traditional financial world is proving valuable for her current work in the crypto industry. NXT Assets specializes in offering Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) that bridge the regulated financial infrastructure and the digital asset class. Claas speaks the language of institutional investors and emphasizes the importance of commitment in their business environment. A formative experience was the efficient “new product process” in an investment bank, which not only modified the way they worked, but also their view of teamwork.

Diversity in focus

Claas attaches great importance to diversity within her company. The NXT Assets team may be small, but they are actively working on a concept to promote diversity. In the crypto industry, it is important to integrate different perspectives to find innovative solutions. Claas encourages young women to build a strong network and gain practical experience. She advises applying for challenging positions in order to be able to assert yourself in a predominantly male industry.

The German Start-up Monitor 2023, which was published on September 26, 2023, shows that there is a high level of motivation among founders in the German start-up landscape despite the tense economic conditions. The survey, carried out by the Start-up Association and PwC Germany, interviewed almost 2,000 founders and documented the business climate, which has deteriorated. Influencing factors such as inflation, interest rate changes and a general economic downturn are affecting start-ups. Nevertheless, optimism remains among founders, driven by a desire to tackle the industry's biggest challenges.

Strategic partnerships

NXT Assets cooperates with several renowned partners, including Crypto Finance, 360T, Vontobel, Bergos and Interactive Brokers. These strategic alliances strengthen the company's market position, especially with regard to the custody of crypto assets in cold wallets with licensed partners in Germany. Claas’ approach of speaking the language of institutional investors while emphasizing the importance of innovative and safe products is crucial to the success of NXT Assets.

For Claas, diversity and a strong community of female entrepreneurs are not just challenges, but key to a successful company in the digital age. Her message to future generations of female entrepreneurs is clear: dare, strive for higher things and always stay connected.