Even with Bitcoin's recent price increase, salaries in the cryptocurrency industry are decreasing for all positions. A small percentage, just 10%, of available jobs are entry-level roles.

Compensation Trends in Crypto

Dragonfly Capital’s report reveals declining crypto salaries and token incentives in 2024/25, despite Bitcoin’s rally. This “down market” shows a compensation structure still developing compared to traditional sectors. Entry-level positions experienced the most significant cuts, while executive pay rose, creating a distinct “barbell effect.”

Founder Compensation & Hiring Practices

Founder salaries increased substantially, while bonus usage declined with company scale. Asia’s share in hiring nearly doubled, alongside broader adoption of global-first hiring strategies. Remote work policies remain dominant, with 54% of companies fully remote, and attrition rates spiking in larger organizations.

High-Demand Specialized Roles

Despite overall compensation declines, specific roles remain highly sought after and command premium salaries. Zero-knowledge cryptographers, blockchain developers, and smart contract engineers are among the top earners. Candidate qualification and compensation expectations continue to be primary recruiting challenges.