How to Get a Job that Pays in Crypto

In a global economy, it makes sense that it’s possible to find jobs from anywhere in the world, but it’s not always that straightforward. One of the problems is that the legacy financial system hasn’t kept up with other technological developments. We can videochat with a friend on another continent or stream the latest movie, but sending cash is often slow and expensive.

That’s where bitcoin and cryptocurrency come in, as a borderless form of payment ideally suited to working in the global gig economy. Now, with just a laptop and an internet connection, you have a world of opportunity that wasn’t possible even a few short years ago. And that gives willing freelancers a chance to fight back against the economic hardships imposed by COVID-19 – and just maybe, a better quality of life after it finally ends.

Why opt for crypto payments?

Most of the time, we don’t think twice about the way money works. We get paid, we spend the cash, and the systems seem to work well enough. It’s generally only when you start trying to send money overseas that things start to get harder.

But there are actually deeper problems with regular ‘fiat’ money, and great opportunities in exploring getting paid in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

• Borderless money. Crypto is truly international cash. It can be expensive, time-consuming and sometimes simply impossible to transfer money from one country to another, especially if one party is unbanked or underbanked (which is more common than you might think). Crypto is open money: you can send it to anyone, anywhere on the planet. And that means you can also start looking for gigs anywhere in the world, too.
• Fast, low-cost transactions. Crypto is highly efficient compared to regular banks or money transfer services, which often charge a flat fee, commission or a terrible exchange rate. When someone sends you bitcoin, you’ll know it’s on the way almost immediately – and you’ll probably be able to spend or exchange it after just a few minutes.
• A hedge against inflation. There are lots of benefits to holding funds on the blockchain, whether that means investing in bitcoin or keeping some assets in US dollars or other major currencies. At a time when governments are printing money like never before, it’s good to have those options.

So, how do you go about getting that crypto-paying job?

Go Pro...?

An obvious starting point is treating it like any other job and looking on popular recruitment and networking sites like LinkedIn. You’ll find plenty of blockchain and crypto jobs, which are now considered mainstream.

These opportunities are likely better suited to someone with experience of the sector, though you may find entry-level jobs. Either way, you’ll need to dust off your CV and put your best foot forward. The more you can demonstrate knowledge of your chosen area, the better – if you have a portfolio of previous projects, a relevant qualification, or a good reputation in the crypto world, that will help.

...Or keep it informal?

The opposite approach is to go straight to the grassroots. There are hundreds of crypto forums, Discords, Telegram groups and other social media channels where the blockchain community hangs out. There’s a very good chance you’ll find work opportunities here of one kind or another. It’s likely to be a lot more ad hoc – these generally aren’t the places to find full-time employment – but it’s a great place to start if you’re willing to learn. The more you pitch in and build a reputation in those kinds of communities, the more likely you’ll earn respect (and crypto).

The middle way: Five of the best

In between those two extremes, there are many freelancer websites that pay in crypto – typically BTC, ETH, and stablecoins like USDT and USDC. The work isn’t always specific to the blockchain sector, so if you have skills like graphic design, translation or software development, they’re often a good place to find gigs on the global labour market.

One quick warning: make sure you check out each site carefully, and the reputation of anyone offering you work. If the site offers facilities like escrow and dispute resolution to keep you safe from scams, that’s an encouraging sign.

1. LaborX

LaborX is a platform for blockchain professionals and other freelancers, built on the blockchain with integrated crypto payments. It uses smart contracts to replace almost all of the functionality of regular freelancer sites, meaning that all workflow and payments are dealt with by trustless code – avoiding any problems by unscrupulous employers or biased site owners. It has escrow for safe, secure payments, plus a reputation system so you know you’re dealing with someone reliable. But it also has a great UX, with social login, a built-in crypto wallet and fiat-to-crypto gateways, so no specific crypto expertise is necessary. While employers can post opportunities, LaborX also allows freelancers to offer their skills in Gigs – fixed-price tasks with defined scope.

2. Cryptogrind

Cryptogrind is a well-established site in the crypto space. It’s easy to use and lets you post or apply for jobs for free, and jobs can easily be searched by category. Importantly, the service provides multi-signature escrow, which makes depositing and storing funds on the platform safer than many of the alternatives, but also means you don’t need to worry about managing your own private keys if you don’t want to. Cryptogrind has Facebook login for convenience, and a referral scheme if you want to try earning a little extra on the side.

3. Crypto Jobs

Probably the largest crypto jobs site, Crypto Jobs has a strong reputation and is a great place to browse thousands of jobs across a wide range of categories – software development and tech, customer support, sales and marketing, design, and more. There should be something for everyone.

It’s free to post a job, but you can buy an upgrade for $199 to gain greater exposure. That won’t always be necessary, since there can be intense competition for jobs from the site’s 15,000+ freelancers. That also means that job seekers will have to compete against a large field, so it’s worth bearing in mind that although Crypto Jobs might have a vacancy you want, securing it can be another matter.

4. BlockLancer

BlockLancer is a niche site that caters to the Ethereum ecosystem alone, and only offers ETH payments as a result. Moreover, it’s not a place for employers to post jobs and freelancers to apply. Blocklancer works the opposite way around, and freelancers advertise their skills and projects they can complete (a lot like Fiverr, or LaborX’s Gigs). You won’t need to provide any real-world information, so privacy can be maintained if you prefer. The nature of the site is that it’s a good place for smart contract developers and other technical experts to find work, though other tasks are offered.

5. CoinTelegraph Jobs

CoinTelegraph – a well-known crypto media site – also has a section where it posts high-end opportunities, often with some of the biggest and best-respected companies in the space. It’s a case of quality over quantity, so there aren’t many opportunities, but they tend to be prestigious roles (this isn’t a good option for Gig work or smaller freelance jobs). While you may not find much here, it’s still worth a look.

Working in crypto, for crypto

Cryptocurrency used to be a niche sector, suitable only for a few who knew their way around blockchain technology and were willing to take a chance on an alternative currency. Today, though, crypto is just another payment option, and the disadvantages that prevented many from using it a few years back no longer apply. It’s simple to send, store and convert crypto into other currencies, and easy exchange functionality and stablecoins avoid the problems of volatility for those that want to ensure their earnings don’t fluctuate in value.

In many instances, then, getting a job that pays in crypto is just like finding any other job in the gig economy – with the difference that specialist platforms exist, opening up a global marketplace of jobs and opportunities as well as bitcoin payments.

Still, there’s a large overlap with the blockchain sector, particularly on sites like LaborX and BlockLancer. So if you want to forge a career in this new suite of technologies, these are good places to find your first jobs and gain experience. The same is true of crypto Discords and other social media communities, which can often provide outstanding on-the-job learning as you grapple with new ideas and technologies while helping to build and promote entirely new platforms.

This experience will serve you well as you look further afield for more permanent and specialist roles, if that is the route you choose to go down. It’s equally valid to maintain part-time employment and seek Gig work to earn crypto on the side, either supplementing your main income or investing into a new asset class without spending existing funds.

Whatever you decide, working for crypto and in the blockchain sector can prove to be a great experience – and a chance to get in on the ground floor of a totally new and exciting industry.