Securing a position in the crypto sector may be tougher than ever. The emergence of AI has diverted previously abundant venture capital funds, and as the industry matures, crypto companies are becoming increasingly selective.
A recent Coinbase internship program only accepted 0.3% of applicants, as per Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, highlighting the immense interest relative to available openings.
Additionally, CryptoJobsList founder Raman Shalupau and researcher Stefi Kiemeney informed Cointelegraph that job listings often receive over 200 applicants for a single position.
So, how can one stand out? What common mistakes are crypto job applicants making?
Cointelegraph consulted industry experts to reveal frequent pitfalls crypto job seekers encounter, along with advice on how to navigate them. Here’s their insight.
They haven’t ‘rolled up their sleeves’ and built something onchain
In discussions with Cointelegraph, Proof of Search CEO Kevin Gibson remarked that there are many “crypto enthusiasts,” but few are genuinely building.
“Some may have traded tokens, acquired NFTs, and perused articles or social media posts, but that’s generally where it ends,” he noted.
“They haven’t truly engaged with the technology in a way that’s applicable for a role at a protocol or crypto firm.”
Gibson’s comments reflect similar observations made by CryptoRecruit founder Neil Dundon on LinkedIn a month ago.
“If your resume reads Web3 but your wallet shows 0x000, I have questions,” Dundon stated, adding:
“If you’re not immersed in the space, why would a founder trust you to build in it?
Source: Jim Chang
While showcasing onchain activity is a positive step, Gibson suggested that the best indicator of genuine crypto experience is an active GitHub account:
“If you can present your GitHub as proof of completed projects, code contributions, or collaborations, that’s significant.”
For those not aiming to become onchain experts, Gibson emphasized that generating content, engaging with a decentralized autonomous organization, or demonstrating community involvement is crucial.
Opportunities in non-technical crypto roles—like finance, marketing, and operations—still exist, though Shalupau and Kiemeney pointed out that roles requiring Rust developers, smart contract engineering, and zero-knowledge cryptography expertise are among the most sought-after technical skills.
They’ve built something, but can’t explain it
While it may be a stereotype that tech-savvy individuals often lack communication skills, recruiters noted that many skilled builders falter when articulating their work during interviews, which diminishes the value of the projects they’ve worked on and harms their chances of employment.
“Companies are looking for individuals who can create and explain their work in simple terms,” shared Shalupau and Kiemeney from CryptoJobsList.
Gibson mentioned conducting interviews where certain developers couldn’t respond to fundamental questions:
“I frequently ask inquiries like, ‘What’s the last task you executed on-chain?’ or ‘How do you secure your wallet?’ and you’d be surprised at how many struggle with the basics.”
Using AI-generated, generic resumes
Crypto firms utilize the application process to better understand potential hires, preferring authentic, human-created applications over AI-generated ones.
“Avoid using AI during your application process—it’s easier to detect than you might think and you will be immediately disqualified,” warned Shalupau and Kiemeney.
They also advised candidates against “shotguning their résumé” during interviews—instead, they should highlight how they have interacted with the company’s tech stack or at least show a solid understanding of it.
“Research the project prior to applying.”
They’re focused on the wrong crypto sectors
Many applicants tend to target sectors that surged in 2021, which are no longer at their peak.
Shalupau and Kiemeney noted that companies in stablecoin, decentralized finance infrastructure, and real-world asset tokenization are “hiring steadily,” while interest in NFT marketplaces and play-to-earn gaming has “diminished.”
The duo referred to metaverse land sales as “dead,” noting that although companies are still developing virtual environments, “the speculative land-grab business model has ended.”
This week, the leading metaverse entity Sandbox announced workforce reductions while its two founders shifted to strategic roles.
Nevertheless, they affirmed that not everything rests on the shoulders of crypto job applicants.
FTX damaged crypto’s reputation as AI took off
Sadly, crypto experienced its Lehman Brothers moment with the disastrous FTX collapse in November 2022, coinciding with OpenAI’s major advancements in the AI domain, making large language models both conversational and widely accessible — sparking a major transition in job opportunities from crypto to AI.
Since that time, AI has drawn significant talent and funding away from crypto, Shalupau and Kiemeney noted. “Developers and entrepreneurs tend to follow the money and excitement, and currently, AI is absorbing both.”
Crypto fundraising peaked at $29 billion in 2021, followed by $28.5 billion in 2022—but has sharply declined since 2023, with total funding over the last two and a half years failing to match 2022’s figures, according to RootData.
Meanwhile, crypto businesses have secured financing in just 547 rounds in 2025—on pace to be the lowest count since 2020—showing that venture capital firms are making larger investments in a smaller number of startups.
Crypto industry funding tally and round count since 2022. Source: RootData
Crypto jobs market susceptible to macro changes
Crypto hiring is also highly seasonal and affected by the wider macroeconomic landscape, noted Dragonfly’s head of talent, Zackary Shelly, on X earlier this month.
Analyzing data from the venture capital firm’s crypto portfolio, over 300 new crypto jobs were posted in January, marking a 60% rise from the prior month. However, by February, postings plummeted 60% as crypto prices fell amid increased discussions about US tariffs.
In March, 750 crypto positions were eliminated—the largest monthly decrease recorded—with business development, customer service, and marketing roles being the most affected, Shelly remarked, while data science and engineering roles faced less impact.
“Even as sentiments shift, these markets maintain demand across cycles—always competitive, whether in a bull or bear market,” Shelly asserted regarding the more tech-centric positions.
Change in crypto jobs by department from Dragonfly’s portfolio of companies. Source: Zackary Shelly
Despite what the Dragonfly data indicates, CryptoJobsList’s Shalupau and Kiemeney suggested that while penetrating the industry is more challenging than before, crypto roles are generally more secure now.
“Postings are fewer than the 2021 peak, but the caliber is superior. Companies now engage in hiring with sustainability in mind, not merely hype,” they observed, contrasting the previous bull run, which had a “hire first, figure it out later” mentality among leading companies.
“This round, budgets are tighter, teams leaner, and hiring more deliberate.”
Related: The highest-paying jobs in crypto to watch in 2025
However, early-stage companies remain “scrappy” and often lack systematic hiring processes, noted Shalupau and Kiemeney.
Look harder to find the right candidate
Dundon advised crypto firms to actively seek exceptional talent rather than merely relying on job boards and waiting for the right candidate to apply.
“The best candidates don’t fill out application forms. They’re not browsing job boards. They’re busy creating. They get noticed because they’re already doing noteworthy work,” the recruiter stated in a separate post.
“If your entire hiring strategy hinges on ‘post and pray’ … you’ll never notice them.”
Magazine: Crypto traders ‘fool themselves’ with price predictions: Peter Brandt
