Behind mETH Protocol: Java, Marketing Specialist

In this edition of Behind mETH Protocol, we sit down with Java, a core contributor to mETH Protocol’s ecosystem and community growth.

Before joining mETH Protocol, she worked in business development at Serotonin, supporting campaigns across the DeFi space. Since then, she’s played a key role in shaping community strategy, launching reward seasons, and leading user-facing initiatives.

We spoke with her about how she got into crypto, what she took from her early experiences, and why she chose to build on Ethereum with mETH Protocol.

What first got you curious about crypto, and what made you stay?

So I got into crypto accidentally; my sister was in Uni at the time and had been selling party tickets to a sorority event when this guy came up to her. He told her he didn't have any cash on him, but he did have this thing called Bitcoin. Now, this was when Bitcoin was still quite new and not mainstream, so she wasn't sure what Bitcoin was but set up her first wallet anyways. Fast forward years later and she gets an email from Coinbase saying they're going to liquidate her if she doesn't have any account activity. When she checked her balance, she ran into the dining room shouting that she wasn't broke anymore. It's weird because I recall exactly what I was doing in that moment, so I guess that memory really did leave a lasting imprint on me (I was playing Subway Surfers on my iPad, as children do). It made me wonder...what was this mysterious Bitcoin?
My fascination with crypto grew through the years. In high school during the height of COVID, I chose to write my IB Extended Essay on Bitcoin's potential to rival the US dollar as a reserve asset (I argued that hyperinflation, endless quantitative easing, and soaring national debt signaled a dire need for change). It drew some pushback from traditional economists who dismissed the idea, but the irony of this has only come full circle now that figures like Larry Fink are seriously entertaining the idea of Bitcoin's potential as a global reserve currency, a theory that was pure speculation only a few years back.
The moment I knew my interest in blockchain was more than a hobby came in university. I joined our campus blockchain organization and loved getting to immerse myself with like-minded individuals who I could learn from every day. During the school year, I began TAing for our introductory blockchain class, and during the summer, I interned at a leading digital-asset investment platform writing research papers. Soon, I found myself taking a leadership role within the club's board. In this role, I thought about how I could make an impact for anyone looking to get into crypto. With a grant secured from the Dean of our business school, I helped put together our annual crypto conference, where we curated and hosted panels with renowned industry thought leaders like Chris Dixon and Cathie Wood. Working in crypto came naturally to me after that.

You started out at Serotonin working across different protocols. What’s something from that time that still shapes how you work today?

My time at Serotonin was a period marked by rapid growth and learning. I joined fresh out of university as BD Manager, eager to translate what I'd learned into tangible impact. In my role, I had the opportunity to work closely with founders to develop topline brand positioning, comprehensive marketing roadmaps, and GTM strategies that secured instant incumbency in competitive markets. This hands-on experience gave me a deep appreciation for how to uncover and articulate a project's most compelling value proposition, and showed me why a clear, cohesive narrative is the foundation of every successful launch.
I also learned to manage various verticals, from brand positioning to PR to social and growth. Understanding how to navigate the different landscapes of marketing helped me in my journey as I delivered proposals and case studies that converted prospective clients into long-term partners.
What I carry forward most is the balance between creativity and data. By leveraging on-chain attribution tools like Spindl for market research, I helped clients identify their most receptive markets and execute campaigns with accuracy across digital and paid channels. Collaborating with the teams behind PayPal, Robinhood and Scroll sharpened my analytical toolkit and showed me the true power of storytelling in brand and growth marketing. That blend of cross-functional collaboration remains at the core of how I approach work today.

What made mETH Protocol feel like the right next step for you?

I believe the future lies in platforms that empower participants across the wealth spectrum to engage with DeFi confidently. What really made mETH Protocol feel like the right step was seeing how it harnesses L2 advantages to deliver the best yields for the Ethereum community. Take $cmETH, for example: unlike traditional LRTs, it aggregates rewards from multiple partners to ensure users benefit from diverse revenue streams.
Add in campaigns like Season 3: Methamorphosis, where users can earn anywhere from 5-40x Powder, and it's clear there are ample ways for even beginners to earn yield. Even more compelling are products like MI4 and our Vault integrations, which bring institutional-grade tools to everyday users in both a "sticky" and intuitive way. These offerings demonstrate that mETH Protocol isn't just building for crypto natives, but for anyone seeking an accessible, productive on-chain finance experience.

Crypto moves fast, products come and go. What helps you stay motivated through all of it?

Honestly, Twitter! Before joining crypto, I actually didn't have a Twitter account since I wasn't that interested in social media. But after joining CT, it became clear to me that this was the place to stay up to date with all the calamity that happens in a constantly-evolving space like crypto. I think memes are one of the best ways of digesting new products; it's a quick and funny image, that if well executed, stays with the viewer forever. I also think tweeting, whether it's into the void or not, is a great way to streamline thoughts and spark some of the most fascinating discourse.

What’s something about Ethereum that you’ve always believed in?

I believe that Ethereum is the chain for on-chain finance, because it's where the entire DeFi ecosystem lives and breathes. Every major protocol, from Uniswap to Aave, was born on Ethereum. When you interact with one of these services, you're tapping into hundreds of deep capital pools and synergistic strategies that let you build entire financial products in weeks instead of years. That money lego effect turns Ethereum into the ultimate playground for innovation and growth opportunities.

If you could choose one thing that could happen all the time at crypto events, what would it be?

Honestly, cosplay (yes, I'm serious). I think it's one of the most genius marketing techniques, especially in an industry that's equal parts goofy and intense. My one friend is this cracked developer, and he literally shows up at conferences in the cutest cosplay to present complex technical topics. And, the turnout is always bigger than any of the other competing panels :)