Natasha Hatherall-Shaw wants a crypto rebrand

“I’m very much at that phase in my life where I’m looking at multiple streams of income and diversifying my finances,” Natasha Hatherall-Shaw told The Crypto Radio.

As founder and CEO of Tishtash Communications, a leading marketing agency in Dubai, Hatherall-Shaw is no stranger to business risk. But when it came to cryptocurrency, even she hesitated. “I consider myself quite a smart person, and I was baffled by it,” she said.

Her journey into the digital asset space reflects a broader truth: many capable professionals are curious about crypto but feel excluded by its complexity. Hatherall-Shaw’s experience is a case study in overcoming that barrier – not by becoming an expert overnight, but by starting small and staying engaged.

Curious but cautious

After years of wondering, Hatherall-Shaw decided to take a hands-on approach. With just 1,000 dirhams (roughly $272), she made her first investment – not to chase quick profits, but to understand what she was getting into. “I’ve given myself this one month to observe and get a bit comfortable,” she said.

She logs into her app daily, paying attention to what moves the numbers. “I’m looking at it, and it’s still a lot of numbers… but I’m trying to understand what impacts what.”

This slow, active learning approach stands in contrast to the flashy narratives often associated with crypto. For Hatherall-Shaw, it's less about becoming a trader and more about being informed.

“If I say I’ve gone and put some money into Bitcoin, are people going to look at me like I’m usually very, very sensible?” she joked. That hesitation – part technical, part social – has kept many others from taking the same step.

Avoiding the hype, trusting your gut

While the media often highlights dramatic gains and celebrity endorsements, Hatherall-Shaw’s path is grounded in realism. “If anything seems too good to be true, it definitely probably is,” she warned.

Instead, she prefers to trust people and companies that align with her values. “I go with my heart, and I kind of buy people,” she said. “I always go with my gut instinct to think this person is going somewhere, and I want to be part of it.”

That mindset informs all her investments – from femtech startups to property and now crypto. It’s less about chasing the hottest trend and more about engaging with things she believes in.

“If I was less ethics and value-driven, I probably would be a lot richer,” she added.

'It needs a whole rebrand' – a marketer’s take

As a seasoned marketing professional, Hatherall-Shaw believes one of crypto’s biggest problems is how it's presented. “It needs a whole rebrand. It comes across as so unapproachable.”

She sees a disconnect between how crypto insiders communicate and how newcomers absorb information. “Most people these days have got access to a computer,” she noted, suggesting there’s an opportunity to make digital investing feel more inclusive and accessible.

Fractional investing – the ability to buy small slices of property or crypto – is one concept that excites her. It lowers the entry barrier and gives everyday people a chance to diversify their finances, even with modest capital.

Still, she argues the space needs more real, relatable stories and fewer buzzwords. Without that, many people will continue to view crypto as a closed club rather than an open financial tool.

Women, money, and the confidence gap

More women are gaining confidence with money, from budgeting to crypto investing. Photo: Unsplash / LinkedIn Sales Solutions

Hatherall-Shaw is especially vocal about the need for women to engage more confidently with money. “Women generally still shy away from money,” she said. “We need to be in control of our finances. We need to understand, even basic budgeting through to more complex things.”

She’s open about her own tendencies. “I’m definitely more of a spender than a saver,” she admitted. But that doesn’t stop her from learning or planning. In fact, her curiosity drives her to explore new financial tools, even when they seem intimidating.

Her goal is not just financial gain but financial literacy – something she believes should be embedded into conversations about crypto from the start.

No shortcuts – learning crypto by doing

“I’ll throw myself in and have a go,” she said, summing up her approach to new experiences. That attitude has shaped her career and now shapes how she approaches crypto.

Importantly, she’s not trying to figure everything out all at once. She’s currently focused on understanding the basics – different types of wallets, how to keep investments secure, and what various tokens actually represent.

“I’m giving myself this one month to observe,” she said. “And then I’ll decide what to do next.”

This phased approach – start small, stay curious, check in daily – may be far more realistic for beginners than trying to master everything upfront.

Simple advice for smart beginners

Hatherall-Shaw recommends avoiding pressure and hype. Instead of relying on ads or influencers, she suggests listening to friends or trusted communities. “Word of mouth is still the most powerful form of communication and marketing.”

And most of all, she urges newcomers not to be afraid of asking questions. The key to learning, she believes, is participation – not perfection.

A story many will recognize

Hatherall-Shaw’s journey into crypto is still in its early stages, but it’s already making an impact. Her willingness to share her confusion, take small steps, and learn publicly offers an alternative to the loud, high-stakes narrative that dominates headlines.

She’s not trying to be a crypto expert. She’s trying to be an informed participant. And that, in a space full of noise, is perhaps the most powerful move of all.

“If you’re curious, it’s just about getting started,” she said.