We sat down with one of Odiin’s longest-serving team members, Dec, to talk about the evolving world of recruitment in the blockchain and Web3 space. From trends to challenges, and insights into what makes this industry tick, here’s what he had to say.
How long have you been at Odiin, and what’s your role?
I joined Odiin back in October 2019, so I’m approaching six years here now. I was actually the second hire into the business, not counting the founders.
Currently, I lead the Loki team, which focuses on non-tech hiring. That includes Marketing, Business Development, Ecosystem, and Product roles. Before stepping into this leadership position, I worked hands-on as a tech consultant, recruiting across Rust and Golang roles.
What trends are you currently observing in the recruitment industry?
The recruitment space is in a strong place in 2025 (please don’t take me back to COVID or the FTX scandal!) We’re definitely trending up.
- Education vs Experience
Over the past year, there’s been a noticeable shift toward prioritizing real-world experience over academic qualifications. Candidates who’ve worked at top 100 projects, leading Layer 1/2s, or other well-known orgs with vibrant ecosystems are in high demand. While degrees still hold value, tangible achievements like closing deals, launching products at mainnet, and building active communities are what hiring managers really care about. - Rising Salaries
We’ve seen an uptick in salaries and total compensation packages since the beginning of 2025. Post-FTX, the market was shaky, but Bitcoin’s surge past $100k has revitalized funding across the board. As a result, companies, particularly in the U.S, are willing to pay top dollar for top talent. - Hybrid and Onsite Options
Web3 has always embraced remote-first culture, and that’s still true. However, we’re seeing some companies set up physical hubs in locations like San Francisco, New York, Lisbon, and Dubai, offering employees hybrid or onsite options.
What hiring trends are you focusing on right now?
Product Marketing Managers
There’s a huge demand for Product Marketing Managers with strong technical backgrounds. As more products go to market, companies are eager to find marketers who can speak both the technical and user-centric languages.
DeFi Business Developers
We’re hiring multiple Business Development professionals with DeFi experience. This includes work with protocols, staking providers, liquidity solutions, and DEXs. Clients want “battle-ready” salespeople who already have strong networks in the DeFi space.
What challenges do you foresee in the recruitment landscape moving forward?
- Web3 Scalability
The biggest challenge? Scaling Web3 to support the next billion users. Blockchain has the potential to secure and enhance the new internet, improving communication, storage, and accessibility. Some companies are already making strides, like Optimism, Wormhole, and XION, but we need to keep pushing forward to reach that goal. - Fake Profiles
Fake profiles are a growing threat. We’ve seen incidents where developers pass technical tests, get hired remotely, and then exploit the company from the inside. One recent high-profile case involved the Lazarus Group, who reportedly stole $1.5 billion in a crypto heist. It’s a serious issue that companies need to stay vigilant about.
What’s the single most revolutionary aspect of blockchain technology, and why?
I’m a huge fan of blockchain’s real-world applications that actually make the world better. A few examples that stand out:
- Peer-to-peer digital money that bypasses banks and helps countries fight corruption.
- Smart contracts that run autonomously and transparently, removing shady business practices.
- On-chain identity solutions that verify identity without compromising personal data.
Those are the kinds of use cases that get me excited.
What part of the blockchain ecosystem are you most excited about right now?
Right now, I’m really interested in Bitcoin and the growing ecosystem around it—especially the emergence of Layer 2s, DeFi protocols, and infrastructure providers.
Projects like Babylon Labs are carving out space and expanding what’s possible on the Bitcoin network. For me, Bitcoin is the OG—the foundation—and watching its ecosystem evolve is incredibly rewarding.
As Web3 continues to evolve, so too does the way we hire, build teams, and shape the future of decentralized technology. With the right people in the right roles, the industry can move from experimentation to real-world impact.
Stay tuned for more insights from the team at Odiin as we continue to spotlight the voices shaping the future of blockchain, tech, and talent.
