Barbara Lebar trusts tech not market noise

Barbara Lebar isn’t your typical crypto investor. As the Middle East and African representative for Manta Aircraft and co-founder of Hansen Back, she’s spent years immersed in innovation – from advanced air mobility to personalized development programs.

Outside the boardroom, she’s passionate about off-roading, which she says complements her professional life by reinforcing adaptability and calculated risk.

Her transition into the world of cryptocurrency wasn’t immediate. In fact, like many others, she initially dismissed it. “I always thought that crypto is a kind of gambling,” she told The Crypto Radio.

That perception changed when she attended workshops led by Zina Ashour, founder of Women in Crypto Arabia. There, she found a structured, community-based approach to understanding blockchain, tokens, and the underlying logic of digital assets.

“When I joined, and I saw that there is a solid technology behind that, there is a logic behind that, there are business proven cases behind – it's not just fluff,” she said.

The first step: small transfers and early lessons

Lebar's first experience with crypto investing was intentionally cautious. She downloaded Binance, transferred a small amount, and began experimenting with different platforms and blockchains. It wasn’t all smooth sailing – she recalled one early mistake when she used the wrong blockchain for Bitcoin.

Despite the bumps, she persisted. “Start with small amounts. It's something that you can actually miss, even if you lose,” she said. “It's always good to start as soon as possible, when your mind is still fresh.”

Today, her portfolio includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano. While she’s still exploring altcoins, she’s particularly interested in XRP and plans to begin trading in a more structured way. Through it all, she’s held onto one core principle: knowledge before action.

“Get information, talk to people who have more knowledge than you,” she said.

Building trust in an evolving ecosystem

One reason Lebar felt comfortable moving deeper into crypto was the regulatory and cultural environment in the UAE. “Here definitely, I do trust the environment,” she said, noting that trust plays a major role in how and where people choose to invest.

But she also encountered obstacles – particularly with peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, which she found intimidating at first. Support from platforms like Binance helped her through the technical issues. In one case, she mistakenly received Bitcoin on two different blockchains, but with guidance, she was able to resolve the issue.

Her advice to newcomers is grounded in rational thinking. “As long as you don't sell, you don't lose anything,” she said. “Don't react immediately emotionally, when the price either goes up or down.”

Lebar emphasized that political and economic changes can significantly affect the crypto market, and that staying informed is essential to avoid reactionary decisions.

“Be risk aware,” she said. “It's a matter of time. At a certain time, it comes back.”

Community, mentorship, and personal responsibility

Barbara Lebar now plans to invest in a cold wallet such as this one from KeepKey to boost security as her holdings grow. Photo: KeepKey

Lebar believes mentorship is one of the most valuable aspects of the space – not just to gain knowledge, but to build confidence. “Whenever you lose, it's a lesson learned, and whenever you win, it's a great job done,” she said.

That sense of support helped her take greater control over her own decision-making. As she puts it, the responsibility lies with the individual to do the research, test the tools, and reflect on their actions.

Lebar now plans to invest in cold wallets for added security, especially as her holdings increase. While she recognizes the risks in crypto, she believes that the tools for managing them – from secure storage to better education – are improving quickly.

“I do trust technologies,” she said. “I am not a gambler by nature.”

Passion, innovation, and what comes next

Crypto, for Lebar, isn’t just about potential profits. It aligns with her broader passion for innovation – the same curiosity that drives her work in aviation and energy development.

She’s also motivated by the practical possibilities: for instance, she hopes that one day her crypto investments can help fund her off-roading adventures. “Don’t judge before you learn about the certain subject,” she said, reflecting on how much her perception has changed.

In a rapid-fire round on The Crypto Radio, Barbara revealed her favorite book – Innovation in the Islamic Culture – and shared that one of the strangest things she learned about crypto was that there are “solid business cases behind it.” That, she said, was a major turning point in how she viewed the space.

Outside crypto, she continues to follow developments in advanced air mobility, aviation innovation, and energy – all areas where she sees potential crossover with blockchain technologies in the future.

Barbara’s story shows that starting small, asking questions, and surrounding yourself with the right people can turn skepticism into strategy. For those still watching from the sidelines, her advice is clear: take the first step – and make it an informed one.

 

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or the Crypto with Zina podcast.

FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS, TRY: an interview with Zina Ashour herself, founder of Women in Crypto Arabia, or journalist Ann Marie McQueen's journey into crypto.