Crypto Salaries Plummet Despite Bitcoin’s New All-Time High

As Bitcoin continues to break new price records in 2025, a contrasting trend is emerging within the crypto job market: salaries and token-based rewards across the industry are sharply declining. According to Dragonfly Capital’s Crypto Compensation Report 2024–2025, average earnings across most roles—from engineering to marketing—have dropped compared to the previous year.

Researchers at Dragonfly describe the current labor climate as “a down market for crypto talent in 2024 and early 2025.” While the industry continues to grow, its compensation practices remain relatively immature compared to traditional sectors. This adjustment marks a necessary cooling period after years of explosive expansion, as companies face increasing pressure to balance costs with performance.

A Growing Pay Gap Between Roles

Data from Dragonfly reveals salary reductions at nearly all levels, with the steepest declines affecting junior and mid-level employees. Meanwhile, executive roles saw slight increases, creating what analysts call a “barbell effect,” where compensation is concentrated at the top and bottom, leaving the middle tier stagnant.

The average hiring process now spans about 3.8 weeks and involves four interview rounds. Roughly 68% of offers are accepted, with most rejections linked to unsatisfactory pay. These figures highlight a more selective and cautious hiring environment—reflecting a broader shift in how Web3 companies structure compensation and manage talent.

Western Europe Leads as Asia Accelerates Hiring

Globally, Western Europe remains a leading hub for crypto employment. Countries like the U.K., Germany, and France have become vital anchors thanks to their clear regulatory frameworks, abundant venture capital, and mature financial infrastructure.

At the same time, Asia is rising rapidly. The region’s share of crypto hiring nearly doubled in just one year, now accounting for more than 40% of surveyed companies. Startups across Asia increasingly rely on token- and equity-based incentives, optimizing budgets while fostering long-term employee engagement.

Meanwhile, the United States still leads in cash-based salaries, though international teams tend to offer greater flexibility by combining fiat, tokens, and stock options.

Remote Work Becomes the New Normal

Even amid restructuring, the crypto industry continues to embrace its remote-first culture. According to Dragonfly’s report, more than 54% of firms operate fully remotely, while only 2% require employees to work entirely from the office.

This reflects the inherently global and decentralized nature of blockchain, where teams can collaborate across borders without geographic constraints. The model allows Web3 organizations to remain agile, reduce operational costs, and access a global talent pool during this efficiency-focused era.

Crypto Matures After Years of Hypergrowth

Between 2020 and 2022, the crypto sector went through a “talent boom,” with companies offering sky-high salaries to attract skilled professionals. By 2024–2025, however, that era of aggressive expansion has given way to a new focus on structure, sustainability, and transparency.

This is not a sign of weakness but a milestone in the industry’s evolution. Standardizing pay structures, linking rewards to performance, and enforcing stronger risk management are shaping a healthier, more resilient crypto ecosystem for the years ahead.

Conclusion

Bitcoin may be soaring to new heights, but crypto professionals are experiencing a controlled landing. The sector’s compensation reset reflects a crucial turning point—one where the industry moves beyond its phase of “hypergrowth euphoria” toward a more professional, balanced, and sustainable future.

Disclaimer: The content above reflects the author’s personal views and does not represent any official position of Cobic News. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice from Cobic News.