Crypto Industry Faces Hiring Challenges Amid Market Volatility

According to Cointelegraph, securing a job in the crypto industry has become increasingly challenging for less-experienced candidates in 2025. A recent survey by venture capital firm Dragonfly Capital reveals that only one in ten crypto roles are at the entry level. This trend is attributed to a surge in failed crypto projects, which has influenced hiring practices. The report, based on data from 85 crypto companies and approximately 3,400 employee and candidate data points collected in late 2024 and early 2025, highlights that senior and principal-level positions make up 37% of the industry's roles. Engineering remains the dominant function, accounting for 67% of the total headcount. Crypto hiring has been described as "cautious" this year, despite a bullish market, positive sentiment, and a pro-crypto administration under U.S. President Donald Trump. Dragonfly Capital notes that net hiring turned negative in the first half of 2025, with significant job growth in January followed by a tariff shock in February and substantial job cuts in March. Entry-level employees have been most affected, facing lower salaries and reduced token packages, although these were partly offset by higher equity. This cautious approach to hiring comes as a surprise given the strong appeal of crypto among younger generations, with 34% of global crypto holders aged between 24 and 35 as of December 2024, according to crypto payment company Triple-A. Kevin Gibson, founder of recruitment firm Proof of Search, observes that many seasoned crypto professionals are re-entering the job market following the failure of several projects after their token generation events. This influx of experienced candidates provides hiring companies with a pool of seasoned talent to choose from. Gibson notes that firms are focusing on hiring senior talent to accelerate project delivery, anticipating a strong market for at least another six months. However, the recruitment landscape has not returned to the levels seen in 2021, when entry-level candidates with minimal experience were quickly hired. Matt Thompson, founder of TRB Executive Search, explains that crypto companies tend to increase hiring during favorable market conditions but resort to layoffs during downturns. He warns that the industry's volatility may deter younger candidates from pursuing careers in crypto, as traditional banking offers more assured career longevity. This instability could impact the long-term interest of students in entering the crypto sector.