Joyce Kim’s Adventurous Transition from a Legal Career to the Blockchain Industry

Joyce Kim is a co-founder of Stellar, an initiative aimed at utilizing blockchain to provide affordable financial services internationally. Currently, she is actively promoting change by investing in and advocating for open financial systems. When people mention Joyce Kim now, they likely think of blockchain technology, international transactions, and her involvement in the cryptocurrency sector. However, it might surprise many to learn that her origins were quite different. Raised in the heart of New York City by Korean immigrant parents, she became aware early on that the conventional financial system frequently favors those who are less vulnerable. This aspect gives her career path a deeply personal touch. The focus extends beyond just technology; it’s also about narrowing the gap in inequality. Joyce Kim discusses her journey from the courtroom to the realm of blockchain. It is unusual to graduate from Cornell at the age of 19. It’s not common to hear about people attending law school at Columbia and Harvard. Instead of pursuing a stable career as a corporate lawyer, Joyce opted for a more adventurous route. Although she worked as a lawyer at a prestigious firm, she also dedicated her time to defending victims of violence and engaging in pro bono activities. At that point, she may not have anticipated entering the cryptocurrency field, but her awareness of access and justice issues had been developing for a significant period. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Joyce formerly held the position of CEO at Soompi, a popular K-pop website cherished by many prior to the rise of social media. She later established a startup named Simple Honey, which concentrated on mobile commerce.