Crypto Job Market Plunges Over 97% From 2022 Peak
According to the latest report by Tiger Research, as of June 18, 2026, the number of active job openings in the crypto industry stood at just 2,932, a dramatic decrease of more than 97% from the estimated peak of approximately 130,000 in 2022. This data underscores the severe contraction of the crypto hiring market since the 2022 bull run peak, reflecting a deep adjustment phase for the entire industry. In the first half of 2026, expectations that market recovery would revive talent demand were dashed, with hiring volumes continuing to deteriorate.
Continued Layoff Wave and Low-Price Acquisitions
The report indicates that the crypto industry's layoff wave continued through the first half of 2026. March was the most concentrated month for layoffs, with multiple companies including Gemini, Crypto.com, Algorand, OP Labs, PIP Labs and Messari announcing workforce reductions simultaneously. Some companies, after multiple rounds of layoffs, fell into distress and were eventually acquired at low prices. A typical case is Messari: after three rounds of layoffs, it was acquired by Blockworks in June 2026 for approximately $10 million, compared to its earlier valuation of $300 million, representing a decline of over 96%. This pattern of "layoffs → valuation collapse → fire-sale acquisition" has become a notable feature of the crypto industry in the first half of 2026.
Job Structure Shifts Toward Centralized Exchanges and AI Skills
In terms of job structure, centralized exchange (CEX) positions accounted for the highest share at 30.8% (904 openings), mainly contributed by three leading exchanges: OKX, Bybit, and Binance. Stablecoin and payment sector positions accounted for 13.4%, but were highly concentrated in two companies: Tether and Ripple, indicating an oligopolistic landscape in this niche. Notably, demand for AI skills has been rising continuously: the proportion of crypto job postings mentioning artificial intelligence skills surged from 23% at the start of 2025 to 53.1% in March 2026. This reflects the accelerated integration of crypto and AI technologies, with traditional blockchain development roles gradually being replaced by AI-driven new positions.