Web3 Hiring Trends in Q4 2024

Web3 hiring in Q4 showed an 80% year-over-year increase; however, it dipped 13% quarter-over-quarter, influenced by U.S. elections and seasonal trends.

In Q4 2024, crypto companies added 788 jobs, up from 436 in Q4 2023 but slowing from 902 in Q3. A small boost was noted in November, with hiring shifts anticipated in early 2025, according to Zackary Skelly, head of talent at Dragonfly Capital.

In a Twitter thread on February 25, Skelly stated that the venture capital firm experienced a “standard seasonal dip,” with candidates primarily networking rather than actively applying. Despite the slowdown, interest in crypto remains high, and international talent continues to seek opportunities in the U.S.

Engineer Dynamics

Web2 engineers are still attempting to transition into the web3 space, but Skelly remarked, “most have been harder to convert.” He elaborated that while they continue to explore web3, top talent remains cautious regarding early-stage roles. Many non-tech individuals are available after pivots or layoffs, prioritizing job stability.

Role Trends

Most roles showed year-over-year growth, although hiring slowed overall in Q4, with exceptions for technical program management roles. There was significant growth in legal, compliance, and recruiting positions as firms geared up for regulation and growth.

Recommendations

Skelly advises keeping passive candidates engaged, optimizing hiring for non-tech talent, and refining token-based job offers. He also highlighted areas to monitor closely, including the intersection of artificial intelligence and crypto, alternative layer-1 networks, and developments in U.S. policy.

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