Crypto industry expands to 190K global employees

OSLO, NORWAY — The cryptocurrency industry employs almost 190,000 individuals worldwide as of July 2023, according to data from K33 Research.
This figure emphasizes the substantial growth and influence of the industry, driven largely by remote work structures and globally distributed teams.
One-third of the crypto workforce operates in exchanges or brokerages, underlining their critical role within the industry.
Furthermore, 26% work in firms providing diverse cryptocurrency-related financial services. Interestingly, only 6% of the workforce is engaged in the NFT domain, while 21% contribute to blockchain protocols, analytics, and mining operations.
The remaining 13% are involved in other cryptocurrency-related roles.
The research indicates a strategic trend among major crypto companies to establish headquarters in jurisdictions offering favorable regulations and lower tax rates.
These companies typically implement global employment strategies, establishing local offices worldwide or adopting remote work structures. Such strategies minimize costs and logistical barriers.
Meanwhile, regional analysis reveals that 55% of crypto employees reside in North America and Europe, with the US accounting for 29%.
Despite China’s tough stance on the industry, it is the second-largest employer in Asia at 15% of the region. India leads in Asia with 20% of the region’s crypto workforce, largely in developer-related roles.