Bitget REPORT: Blockchain technology could generate 1 million jobs by 2030. Recruitment could match the explosion in AI

By 2030, the blockchain sector could generate over 1 million new jobs, matching the current AI hiring boom, with regulatory clarity and institutional integration of the technology among the factors that could contribute to such a significant development. Salaries currently between $115,000 and $191,000 annually could exceed $250,000, rivaling those of top AI engineers at companies like OpenAI, according to a report by Bitget, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange.

The Bitget report, titled “Blockchain vs. AI: Untapped Potential in Talent Acquisition and Development,” indicates that blockchain technology remains a sleeping giant, with the potential to reshape global labor markets on a scale similar to or even greater than artificial intelligence (AI). The analysis shows that the blockchain job market has lagged behind the booming artificial intelligence industry. However, the results suggest that by 2030, the blockchain sector could generate over 1 million new jobs, matching the AI ​​hiring boom, if adoption accelerates in industries such as finance, healthcare, and logistics.

“Blockchain is where AI was a decade ago, a technology full of potential but still waiting for its ‘big bang’ moment. With the right mix of regulation, education, and enterprise adoption, it can redefine the global workforce landscape,” says Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.

Currently, the blockchain sector supports an estimated 15,000–20,000 active job openings globally, with demand concentrated in North America (40%), Asia-Pacific (35%), and Europe (20%). In comparison, AI has over 1 million open positions, fueled by decades of corporate investment and regulatory support. While blockchain could support 500,000 jobs by 2028, that figure represents only a fraction of the sector’s true potential.

Experts say that replicating the growth drivers of AI, such as enterprise adoption and regulatory clarity, could spark a similar boom for blockchain. For example, the European Union’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation and pilot projects by companies like JPMorgan (Onyx) and Visa (USDC integration) are already showing signs of institutional adoption. Blockchain technology already integrated by universities into curricula The Bitget report also highlights that scalability and education are key obstacles. Just as AI relies on advances in computing power, blockchain needs layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and upgrades to the Ethereum network to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Meanwhile, universities like MIT and Stanford are starting to integrate blockchain into curricula, in a similar way to the early stages of AI development in academia.

However, funding remains a major gap here: AI startups attracted over $100 billion in venture capital in 2023, while blockchain projects only raised $25 billion.

According to the analysis, closing this gap could accelerate blockchain integration in sectors like supply chain logistics and healthcare, where projects from companies like Microsoft and IBM are already building the foundation. If blockchain follows AI’s trajectory, salaries for specialized roles, which already average between $115,000 and $191,000 annually, could exceed $250,000, rivaling those of top AI engineers at companies like OpenAI. Such an evolution would require a major transformation of the talent training system, including dedicated blockchain university programs and specialized boot camps to meet the growing demand. Countries with proactive policies, such as Singapore, could become hiring hubs, just as Silicon Valley has become for AI.

In this context, Bitget experts believe that blockchain is at a turning point and that, with regulatory clarification, corporate investment and infrastructure, it could move from a niche sector to an economic necessity, generating jobs that do not yet exist today. Although challenges persist, the potential is undeniable: a fivefold increase in the number of blockchain jobs by 2030 could transform industries, wages and global economic priorities.

The question is no longer whether blockchain will follow the rise of AI, but when and if the world is ready to harness its full potential. In fact, Bitget’s growth perfectly reflects the huge potential of the blockchain sector: the number of employees has increased from 200 in 2022 to over 1,900 today, representing an 850% increase in just three years. The platform currently has 129 open positions globally, covering areas such as compliance, business development and advanced technologies, including blockchain engineering and AI-based product management.

The areas with the highest demand are APAC (Vietnam, Singapore) and MENA, where Bitget is rapidly expanding its operations to align with local blockchain adoption strategies. Notably, 33% of candidates come from the traditional banking sector, attracted by the higher salaries and innovation-focused organizational culture.