Last Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed a pair of executive orders aimed squarely at embedding cryptocurrencies into the financial mainstream. By mandating the option to include digital assets in 401(k) retirement plans and prohibiting banks from “debanking” crypto-related ventures, Trump sent a clear message: crypto deserves a seat at the table.
Within hours, Bitcoin jumped 2.3%, peaking at $117,580, and briefly revisited last week’s highs. According to CoinGecko, the flagship token is now up 3% from this week’s open, trading close to $117,000.
That surge triggered forced closures of nearly $300 million in short positions—the highest level in three weeks. Traders who bet against Bitcoin found themselves squeezed out as the price climbed, underscoring how policy shifts can quickly reshape market dynamics.
Data from CoinGlass shows open interest in Bitcoin futures spiked from $9.71 billion to just over $10 billion immediately after the announcement. But within hours, that level retreated back to pre-news figures.
The abrupt ebb and flow in open contracts, alongside an elevated cumulative volume delta—a metric tracking the gap between aggressive buys and sells—signals a battle between profit-taking traders and buyers eager to sustain the rally.
Every forced short liquidation adds fuel to upward price moves, but it also introduces heightened volatility. Traders and market makers will be watching volume deltas closely as they size up the next swing.
“Collectively, these orders are legitimising crypto in the eyes of investors,” says Gerry O’Shea, Head of Global Market Insights at Hashdex. While he cautions that these measures alone won’t catapult prices sky-high in the next 24 hours, they could underpin “strong performance over the next 12 months.”
For blockchain recruitment agencies and crypto recruitment firms, this newfound legitimacy matters. It reduces perceived regulatory risk, giving corporate HR teams the confidence to hire blockchain developers, compliance experts and product managers.
As we explored in our analysis of the vital role of blockchain and crypto recruitment agencies, clear policy signals are often the catalyst that unlocks corporate hiring budgets.
Even before Trump’s announcement, demand for web3 talent was surging. Decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols, NFT marketplaces and Layer 2 scaling solutions were locked in a competitive arms race for skilled engineers.
With policy barriers easing, hiring managers at both startups and established financial institutions are more willing to bring on board:
For crypto headhunters, that translates into a broader talent pool to present—while also intensifying competition for top candidates.
Here are a few trends that web3 recruitment agencies should monitor closely:
These emerging roles underscore the evolving nature of blockchain recruitment. Agencies that develop specialised verticals—such as DeFi recruitment or NFT-focused headhunting—will gain a competitive edge.
In a fast-moving market, timely placement of the right candidate can make or break a project. Here are five tips from our experts:
For more detail on recruiting strategies in a bull market, see our guide on 5-tips for successfully recruiting in the web3 industry.
Every policy breakthrough tends to trigger a cascade of hiring decisions. When crypto appears safer and more mainstream, departments that were on the fence—be it risk, compliance or treasury—are more likely to greenlight new roles.
In the coming months, expect to see job adverts for:
These positions reflect an industry maturing from hacker-house startups to multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams within major financial institutions.
For blockchain talent weighing their next move, the message is clear: the regulatory headwinds that once deterred corporates are softening. That’s tangible evidence of mainstream adoption, which can translate into higher salaries, meaningful equity packages and robust career ladders.
Technical candidates should:
Gerry O’Shea believes that Trump’s orders could set the stage for Bitcoin to breach $140,000 later this year. Institutional legibility, combined with the next Bitcoin halving cycle, may reinforce bullish sentiment.
In parallel, crypto recruitment agencies will be gearing up to place more experts across emerging DeFi projects, NFT platforms and central-bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots. Those who can match the right talent to evolving regulatory and technical demands stand to benefit most.
As the dust settles on Thursday’s announcement, market participants and hiring managers alike will be watching volumes, open interest and on-chain flows. But one thing is certain: policy clarity often marks the beginning of new recruitment waves in the ever-evolving world of web3.