Her Divorce Was Ugly. Crypto Became a Lifeline
Karin, a mother navigating a contentious divorce in Fort Worth, Texas, faced financial exclusion after years of perceived control by her husband, who managed family bank accounts. Attempting to pay her mortgage with cash, she was denied because she wasn’t listed on the account and faced anti-money laundering restrictions. Left “unbanked” with maxed-out credit cards and unable to access typical financial services, she turned to cryptocurrency for financial independence, using a self-custodial wallet to secure her assets. Court-approved crypto trading profits paid for her children’s tuition, and blockchain transparency helped her assert control in legal proceedings. Karin’s experience highlights crypto's value as a lifeline for marginalized groups, enabling women to maintain direct, private access to funds. She relied on crypto community support and bypassed traditional financial gatekeepers using stablecoins. Karin now works with the National Cryptocurrency Association to promote practical crypto use and counters the industry’s male-dominated image. After being forced decades ago to choose marriage over law school, she has now been accepted to law school, inspired by her recent experiences.
