Securing a job in the crypto sector is arguably tougher than ever. The surge of AI has siphoned away once abundant venture capital, and as the industry matures, crypto firms are becoming increasingly selective.
A recent summer internship program at Coinbase accepted only 0.3% of applicants, as highlighted by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, illustrating the stark contrast between interest and available positions.
Raman Shalupau, founder of CryptoJobsList, and researcher Stefi Kiemeney informed Cointelegraph that many job listings now attract over 200 applicants for a single role.
So, how can applicants stand out? What mistakes are common among those seeking jobs in crypto?
Cointelegraph consulted industry experts to identify frequent missteps made by crypto job seekers and shared their insights on how to rectify them.
They haven’t “rolled up their sleeves” and built something onchain
In conversations with Cointelegraph, Proof of Search CEO Kevin Gibson noted that while there are many “crypto enthusiasts,” few actively contribute.
“They might have bought and sold a few tokens, collected some NFTs, and perused articles or social media threads. But often, that’s where their involvement ends,” he explained.
“They haven’t genuinely engaged with the technology in a manner that’s actually beneficial for roles at a protocol or crypto company.”
Gibson’s comments resonate with similar observations made by CryptoRecruit founder Neil Dundon about a month ago on LinkedIn.
“If your resume says Web3 but your wallet shows 0x000, I have questions,” Dundon remarked, adding:
“If you’re not immersed in the space, why should a founder trust you to build within it?
While showcasing onchain activity is a step in the right direction, Gibson emphasized that an active GitHub account stands out as the clearest indicator of genuine crypto work:
“If you can direct potential employers to your GitHub and demonstrate actual project delivery, coding contributions, or collaboration, it’s substantial.”
For those not aiming to become onchain experts, Gibson advised producing content, engaging with a decentralized autonomous organization, or showing some other form of community participation.
There are still opportunities in non-technical crypto roles—like finance, marketing, and operations—but Shalupau and Kiemeney pointed out that roles for Rust developers, smart contract engineers, and zero-knowledge cryptography specialists are among the most sought-after hard skills.
They’ve built something but can’t articulate it
Though it may be a cliché that tech-savvy individuals struggle to communicate effectively, recruiters noted that many capable builders often fumble while discussing their work during interviews, which undermines their project’s value and diminishes their job prospects.
“Companies seek individuals who can both build and clearly explain their work in layman’s terms,” stated CryptoJobsList’s Shalupau and Kiemeney.
Gibson mentioned instances where developers struggled to answer simple queries during interviews:
“I frequently ask, ‘What’s the latest thing you accomplished on-chain?’ or ‘How do you secure your wallet?’ and it’s surprising how many people trip up on basic concepts.”
Using AI-generated, generic resumes
Crypto companies utilize the application process to evaluate potential hires, and they want to see authentic, human-crafted applications—rather than AI-generated ones.
“Avoid using AI in your application process—it’s more detectable than you may realize, and it can lead to immediate disqualification,” cautioned Shalupau and Kiemeney.
They also recommended against “shotgunning your résumé” during interviews—advising applicants to focus on how they’ve utilized the company’s tech stack, or at least demonstrate a clear comprehension of it.
“Do your research. Understand the project before applying.”
They’re targeting the wrong crypto sectors
Many applicants are also fixated on sectors that peaked in 2021, which are currently far less prominent.
According to Shalupau and Kiemeney, companies in stablecoin, decentralized finance infrastructure, and real-world asset tokenization are “hiring steadily” right now, while the excitement surrounding non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces and play-to-earn gaming has “diminished.”
The pair described metaverse land sales as “dead,” explaining that while companies are still developing virtual environments, “the speculative land-grab model has come to an end.”
Earlier this week, prominent metaverse platform Sandbox revealed staff layoffs, while its two founders shifted to strategic positions.
However, not all the blame can be placed on crypto job seekers, they noted.
FTX harmed crypto’s image as AI gained traction
Unfortunately, crypto experienced its own Lehman Brothers moment with the disastrous collapse of FTX in November 2022, coinciding with OpenAI’s breakthrough in the AI domain by making large language models conversational and widely accessible—signaling a significant transition in job opportunities from crypto to AI.
Since that point, AI has attracted considerable talent and funding away from crypto, as Shalupau and Kiemeney pointed out. “Developers and entrepreneurs are drawn to where the money and excitement lie, and currently, AI is capturing both.”
Crypto fundraising reached a high of $29 billion in 2021 and slightly lower at $28.5 billion in 2022—yet, figures have sharply declined since 2023, with total funding across the last two and a half years failing to match 2022’s numbers, as reported by RootData.
In the meantime, crypto firms secured funding in only 547 rounds in 2025—on pace to reach the lowest total since 2020—indicating that venture capitalists are increasingly placing larger bets on fewer startups.
Crypto jobs market vulnerable to macro changes
Crypto hiring is also subject to seasonal fluctuations and broader macroeconomic conditions, noted Zackary Shelly, head of talent at Dragonfly, on X this month.
An analysis by the venture capital firm of its crypto portfolio revealed over 300 new crypto job listings in January, marking a 60% rise from December. However, in February, postings plummeted by 60% as crypto prices dipped amid increased discussions of US tariffs.
During March, 750 crypto roles were eliminated—the most significant monthly decline on record—with business development, customer service, and marketing roles bearing the brunt, according to Shelly, while data science and engineering positions were less impacted.
“Even during sentiment shifts, these markets maintain demand across cycles—always competitive, whether in a bull or bear market,” Shelly stated regarding the more tech-oriented roles.
Despite the Dragonfly data implications, CryptoJobsList’s Shalupau and Kiemeney indicated that while entering the industry is more challenging than before, crypto roles are generally safer now.
“We’re observing fewer job postings compared to the 2021 peak, but the caliber is higher. Companies are now hiring with sustainability in mind, rather than just hype,” in contrast to “the last bull run’s ‘hire first, figure it out later’ attitude,” they noted, particularly in relation to established firms.
“This time, budgets are tighter, teams leaner, and hiring more strategic.”
Related: The highest-paying jobs in crypto to watch in 2025
However, early-stage companies remain “scrappy” and often lack a structured hiring process, according to Shalupau and Kiemeney.
Seek more diligently for the right candidate
Dundon also urged crypto firms to proactively scout for exceptional talent instead of merely relying on job boards to attract the right candidates.
“Top candidates don’t complete application forms. They’re not combing through job boards. They’re engaged in building. They get discovered because their work already draws attention,” the recruiter noted in a separate post.
“If your entire hiring strategy is ‘post and pray’… you’ll miss out on them.”
Magazine: Crypto traders ‘fool themselves’ with price predictions: Peter Brandt
