The last time I saw this much buzz around a new AI player, it was OpenAI rolling out ChatGPT. Now? DeepSeek has stormed onto the scene, making waves not just in AI but also in crypto. And let me tell you, the hiring game is about to get wild.
I’ve been deep in the crypto recruitment trenches for years, matching top-tier talent with the most ambitious projects. Some trends are predictable. Others? Not so much. This DeepSeek moment feels like one of those major shifts that’ll reshape the hiring landscape. So, who’s hiring next? Let’s break it down.
AI Meets Crypto: The Next Hiring Boom
If you think AI and crypto were already moving fast, buckle up. DeepSeek’s emergence signals that more AI-driven projects will lean into blockchain—and companies will need talent that understands both worlds. But here’s the thing: finding people fluent in both AI and crypto is like searching for a unicorn.
Remember when DeFi took off, and suddenly every project needed Solidity developers? That talent pool was tiny at first. The same thing is happening now with AI-integrated blockchain solutions. If you’ve got experience in both, companies will be lining up to talk to you.
Who’s hiring?
- Layer 1 & 2 blockchain projects integrating AI (think Ethereum scaling solutions, Solana-based experiments, etc.)
- DeFi protocols exploring AI-powered risk modelling
- AI-driven trading firms that need blockchain-savvy engineers
Web3 & AI Startups: The Wild West of Hiring
Startups have always been the frontier for bleeding-edge tech. Now, with DeepSeek’s splash, a wave of AI-focused Web3 startups is coming. These teams are moving fast, often hiring ahead of product-market fit, betting that AI + blockchain is the future.
But here’s where it gets tricky: early-stage startups need people who can wear multiple hats. I’ve seen this play out before—hiring someone too specialised can backfire. The best candidates? Those who are technically strong but also adaptable. If you’re an AI engineer who understands smart contracts or a Solidity dev curious about AI, you’re golden.
Who’s hiring?
- AI-first blockchain projects working on decentralised data models
- NFT and gaming platforms exploring AI-generated assets
- Web3 venture studios assembling AI-powered crypto teams
Big Tech vs. Crypto: The Talent Tug-of-War
Every time there’s a hiring surge in crypto, it clashes with Big Tech’s own talent hunt. Right now, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic are battling it out for the best AI minds. But here’s the twist: crypto offers something these giants can’t—equity, tokens, and a taste of decentralisation.
I’ve seen candidates turn down six-figure salaries at traditional AI firms for a shot at building the future of decentralised AI. The risk-reward equation is different. Big Tech provides stability, but crypto gives you upside potential. The question is: do you want a high salary or the chance to own part of the network you’re building?
Who’s hiring?
- Decentralised AI projects (think SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, or newer DeepSeek-inspired startups)
- Crypto DAOs experimenting with AI governance
- Venture-backed AI research labs spinning up in Web3
The Rise of AI-Powered DAOs
Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) were already evolving, but AI is about to supercharge them. Imagine DAOs that can make governance decisions using AI models or automate entire operational processes. It’s not science fiction—it’s already happening.
But hiring for AI-powered DAOs? That’s an entirely different challenge. It’s not just about coding; it’s about understanding decentralised governance, incentive structures, and tokenomics. The best candidates will be those who can bridge AI logic with DAO mechanics—something DeepSeek is already exploring in the evolving Web3 landscape.
Who’s hiring?
- Decentralised research collectives integrating AI for decision-making
- AI governance platforms experimenting with on-chain automation
- Crypto-native AI accelerators funding open-source projects
How to Position Yourself
So, where do you fit in all of this? If you’re a developer, researcher, or founder, now’s the time to lean into AI and crypto. The overlap between these industries is only growing, and DeepSeek’s rise is a clear signal that hybrid skill sets will be in high demand.
Here’s what’s worked for candidates I’ve placed in high-growth roles:
- Be flexible. Startups need generalists who can evolve with the market.
- Go deep on one niche. AI research, cryptography, or smart contracts—become an expert in one, but stay open to the other.
- Network aggressively. The best jobs in crypto still don’t get posted publicly.
The hiring frenzy is coming. Are you ready for it?
