Aya was originally drawn to the blockchain space for its potential to advance financial inclusion in emerging economies. In 2013, she joined Kraken and helped educate the public, regulators, investors, and media as Managing Director of Japan. Driven by a passion for creating lasting impact, she joined the Ethereum Foundation as Executive Director in 2018. There, she led efforts to support the Ethereum ecosystem through core research and development activities, funding and guidance, and cross-sector education. In 2025, Aya became President of the Ethereum Foundation, where she focuses on cultivating institutional relationships and continues to help Ethereum maintain its soul as an Infinite Garden — a decentralized creative space that is open-source, inclusive, and permissionless.