Crypto Employment Surges in 2022 Despite Market Challenges

Record Growth in Crypto Employment

In 2022, the cryptocurrency industry saw a remarkable surge in employment opportunities, hiring 82,200 employees. This marked a substantial 351% increase compared to the 18,200 hires in 2009. Despite a predominantly bearish market, the sector experienced significant recruitment growth, particularly in trading and brokerage.

Dominance of Trading and Brokerage

Trading and brokerage emerged as the leading sectors, accounting for 50% of the total crypto-related employment. This translated to 41,136 hires, underscoring the vital role these areas play in the industry. The substantial hiring reflects the ongoing demand for expertise in trading platforms and financial services within the crypto space.

NFT and Gaming Sector

Following closely, the NFT and gaming sector secured the third highest employment share at 8%, despite experiencing a general slowdown. In total, 6,738 individuals were hired in this sector, indicating a resilient interest in NFTs and blockchain gaming as they continue to evolve and innovate.

Contributions from Other Sectors

The crypto finance services (CFS) sector held the second-largest share of employment at 13%, accounting for 10,635 recruitments. Meanwhile, mining, infrastructure, DeFi, and Layer-1 sectors each contributed around 5% to the employment figures, with mining hiring 4,286 employees and other sectors offering similar opportunities.

Conclusion

The cryptocurrency industry showcased its resilience and growth potential by significantly increasing employment opportunities in 2022. Key sectors like trading, brokerage, and NFTs led the way, demonstrating the industry's adaptability and the growing demand for crypto-related expertise. Despite market challenges, the crypto employment landscape continues to expand, paving the way for future developments and innovations.