🧐 What’s Stopping You from Diving into a Bitcoin Career? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

🧐 What’s Stopping You from Diving into a Bitcoin Career?

5696 sats \ 85 comments \ @jacobo 11 Sep bitcoin

If you're on Stacker News, I'm going to assume you're pretty deep into Bitcoin---whether it's with your money, your time, or both. You're likely very interested in sound money and what some might call "magic internet money," and chances are, Bitcoin is a significant part of your investment portfolio.

Given that, I'm curious: why aren't more people "working on Bitcoin"? By that, I mean anything from starting your own Bitcoin-related venture, to having a side project or a full-time job at a Bitcoin company. Maybe even beyond that---something like contributing to the ecosystem in a way that goes beyond just holding or talking about it.

I get that there might be various valid reasons, but I'm really interested in knowing which are the most "popular" and also hearing about the ones that might not be so obvious. Especially considering that working on a Bitcoin project is a bit like "double-dipping"---if you're good at what you do, not only are you earning a living, but you're also potentially boosting the value of your own hodlings.

Here are some reasons I've thought of:

Not a technical/dev person, so options feel limited.
No idea where or how to start.
Tried to launch something, but it didn't pan out.
Tried to join a Bitcoin company, but no luck so far.
Feels like taking on even more risk (holding BTC + focusing your career on BTC).
Just don't think it can be as economically rewarding as your current job or venture.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, because I think we need more people working on and for Bitcoin.

For context, I work at Synonym, where we recently launched Bitkit, a self-custodial Bitcoin & Lightning wallet.

Working for Bitcoin has made me much happier than sticking with "safer" ventures or jobs, but I'm really interested in your perspectives, since everyone has a different approach to life, money and professional career.

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461 sats \ 2 replies \ @jtwoodhouse 12 Sep

Most people don't need to work in bitcoin.

The actual viable bitcoin industry is microscopic and much of it has been commodotized. You have mining, hardware, exchanges, and custody. That's it. Pretty much everything else is a gimmick or some deep tech L2 of unknown future.

Open source tech and huge profit margins don't exactly go together. The community doesn't tolerate rent-seeking and many companies in the space are unstable.

Unless you absolutely gotta do it or you're a technical wizard, you're likelier better off earning steady cash flow in the fiat mines

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @SatsMate 12 Sep

Very very well said. You said the quiet part out loud that I have been thinking.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Interesting take. I also think there is another avenue which is Lightning Enabled apps, where there is still a lot of opportunity. Like SN.

53 sats \ 0 replies \ @Malachi17 11 Sep

Was historically the case. Nowadays I'm more skeptical that any job isn't going to try to demand you get vaccinated or something equally stupid.

41 sats \ 1 reply \ @Golu 12 Sep

Nothing. I'm doing my logistics business and recently I've made 2 transactions in Bitcoin out of my country. They went smooth. Slowly I'm gonna transition to Bitcoin only payments.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @79c9095526 12 Sep

I'd love to learn more about your logistics business if you are OK with sharing. I've worked in the logistics space for about a decade in the US (corporate job, mostly small parcel optimization strategies) and have been itching to quit my job and do a business but haven't been able to think of anything.

20 sats \ 1 reply \ @TheMorningStar 12 Sep

I'm actually learning about coding and with a career in mind to be a Bitcoin Dev.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Nice. What do you currently work on?

119 sats \ 0 replies \ @DiedOnTitan 12 Sep

something like contributing to the ecosystem in a way that goes beyond just holding or talking about it.

The first step in this direction is running a full verification Bitcoin node. Which I do personally. I consider this is a crucial step on the Bitcoin journey.

I am working on trying to convince the partners at my company to include Bitcoin in the treasury. I have been unsuccessful thus far. I gently remind them that if they had listened to me several years ago, not only would this asset be protected from inflation/debasement, the value would have at least tripled in fiat terms.

The arguments they give back include: volatility, regulatory uncertainty, accounting challenges, risk, etc. I actually orange pilled one of the partners, but the other is stubborn as a mule.

If we can get Bitcoin into the treasury, it will lubricate the possibility to pay bonuses in Bitcoin, then potentially salary. Then potentially allowing our clients to settle in Bitcoin and so on. I am trying to take this process step by step but there is still a lot of fear uncertainty and doubt.

I think it boils down to the fact that some people are so heavily invested financially and intellectually in the fiat standard, that Bitcoin upends their years of slavish study of it as it challenges their life assumptions. It's less the risk of Bitcoin as an asset and more that the fiat standard is a sham they dare not come to terms with. Perfect example of the sunk cost fallacy taken to a lifelong extreme.

211 sats \ 6 replies \ @south_korea_ln 12 Sep

I love my current job. If i want to do it properly, i need to give it my full attention. Haven't found a way yet to incorporate bitcoin into it, but who knows, one day.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @clarity 12 Sep

remember me?, see my other post

121 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln 12 Sep

You mean #675429 that you initially posted as an @anon comment?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @clarity 12 Sep

yeah, I made a mistake my first time with this new type of site

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

What do you do?

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln 12 Sep

I'm a physicist. Trying to get a permanent contract ;)

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Wow.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @TheBTCManual 12 Sep

I'd go with 6; the TAM for my services and ability to generate an income in a fiat world is way larger, so as a business owner, I have a financial responsibility to focus where the profit is regardless of the medium of exchange. While I do offer Bitcoin native settlement at a discount, if the market doesn't respond to that to an extent where I can cover all my expenses, it's not much I can do

I think people who pipeline value from the fiat world by providing services and goods and then pushing their free cash flows into Bitcoin is as valuable as any other Bitcoin initiative..or maybe that's just me coping hard lol

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 12 Sep

Fair point

121 sats \ 4 replies \ @Satosora 12 Sep

If only my job actually paid in bitcoin. But I am sure companies dont want to pay in bitcoin because of the risk.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @Recongraves 12 Sep

Yea no way my job as chef..would never. 😔

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @Recongraves 12 Sep

Yet...😭

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

correct.. yet.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Recongraves 12 Sep

🙏💯

105 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 12 Sep

For me, it's because I'm already content in my current career. If I were to somehow lose my job and not be able to find another one in my field, I'd definitely consider a Bitcoin career.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Nice. In which industry are you?

433 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 12 Sep

Depends what do you mean by "working on Bitcoin". I dedicate all my time to Bitcoin. I stopped working / having a job some years ago and I dedicate all my time, educating, helping other people to get onboard (for free). Is that "working on Bitcoin" too?

I also help quite a lot bitcoin apps devs with support for new users, translations, writing documentation, testing bugs etc. Is that also "working on Bitcoin" ?

And I am here on SN almost 24h...

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

I would say that is working on Bitcoin. By that I mean "dedicating most of your time or resources to advance Bitcoin and Bitcoin adoption"

120 sats \ 3 replies \ @03393ec3a3 12 Sep

Rapid turnover! Most of the Bitcoiners I know who work Bitcoin jobs seem to have high turnover, frequently shifting employers. Plus, lots of Bitcoin companies seem to fail or often experience layoffs. In this sense, my fiat job seems much more "low time-preference" and safe. Am I misunderstanding what it's actually like?

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @ninjagrandma65 13 Sep

No, it's like this. It's often extremely poor leadership and extremely poor management. I'm talking extremely poor. I have developed a huge appreciation for the leadership and the culture at my non-bitcoin-related job. My position at the moment is basically an apprenticeship in leadership, for a very successful, well-thought-of, successful company present in a lot of countries with very low turnover rate in both long term employees and customers/clients. And what I'm learning from that apprenticeship, vs. what I've seen in Bitcoin.... it's drastically different. Embarrassing and painfully different. Add in the new bitcoin trend, a la saif and jimmy song et al, that "manager class" is bad (and the poor wording, because when you get into it, they might not even be talking about managers).... and..... it's a recipe for disasters and high turnover and embarrassingly terrible leadership.

Also, the accountability is very poor, so you have psychopaths coming in and taking advantage of their people, or attempting to. If you say "no", they won't hesitate to get rid of you and run smear campaigns on you as they let the door slam on you on the way out.

So no. You are not wrong. You've got a pretty good handle on the situation.

If I ever find a company that has solid leadership and a good culture that I can stand behind, I might try to work for them. But as it is... the ones I've seen? They're just so poorly run, I don't think I could throw my lot in with them. But I'll definitely keeping my eyes open!

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @03393ec3a3 14 Sep

I appreciate the inside scoop! Really valuable insights - thanks very much!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Wow.. good point. I don't know if that is the rule, but it has def been very common.

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @nullama 12 Sep

What's a Bitcoin career?

It's like saying a USD career... money is what you get from selling goods and services.

You mean something like working at an exchange?, not many roles really. Sure, there are some, but it's very niche.

Working on the Bitcoin protocol itself, like the source code?, not much money in there as any other open source project.

Working for a company that uses Bitcoin, kinda like Strike or Square?, maybe, but then it starts to become a bit like any other job really...

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Svoboda 12 Sep

You could technically argue the fact there aren't USD careers is why we're in this mess. For example, if we would have had more financial literacy educators over the last several decades, maybe we wouldn't be so far up shits creek without a paddle.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Interesting point. I also at one point thought about it that way, but I think we are not yet there. By "working" I mean "dedicating most of your time or resources to advance Bitcoin and Bitcoin adoption"

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @BXL909 12 Sep

I'd love a job in bitcoin, and I'm not even picky. In the meantime I'll keep expanding my knowledge and developing free bitcoin projects... https://bxl909.github.io

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Are you a dev? or what is your area of expertise?

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @BXL909 12 Sep

well, sort of. I was a developer working in finance for about 15 years, but years have passed since then and the skills I used then are largely outdated now, so I can't really call myself a 'proper' dev. In the last year or so I've made a few free bitcoin apps for windows (link above) as a learning experience and have really enjoyed that. I'm at the older end of the job market though :(

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @bature_ 12 Sep

I'm working on becoming a Bitcoin dev. It's not easy at all. But it's worth it.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Wow. How long have you been on it?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bature_ 12 Sep

A year now.

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @0282b24fae 12 Sep

Sadly it is easier to work in a fiat company and stack sats, espacially as a father... E.g. i had a job offer on LND for 5k, working 45h or even more... I see these guys are always online and helping out. At the moment i earn 6k for working 32h...

I want to spend as much of my time with my family, gardening etc

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Fair enough. What do you do right now?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0282b24fae 16 Sep

Programming and teaching it

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @Carresan 12 Sep

Not a technical / dev person. Learning here and enjoying some territories such as sport.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Maybe there is an interesting intersection between sport and btc?

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @Ge 12 Sep

Getting a job in bitcoin is a broad way to say it how about also building with bitcoin... given current business owners or service providers can opt in to accepting btc and boom your part of btc circular economy building. There's so many areas that need work in bitcoin...I believe if you can add value to the ecosystem that is when your able to find a job in bitcoin...

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

There are so many ways of adding value.. and I guess eventually you just decide to go all-in not only in terms of investment, but time and efforts.

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @ninjagrandma65 12 Sep

The sexual harassment, and retaliation for saying no.

Also, I happen to really like freedom of speech. A hell of a lot of bitcoiners try to make sure you don't say things they dislike. There are gatekeepers and... I can say what I want to say, because I'm not depending on their money. And that is valuable.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Got it

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @BTCLNAT 12 Sep

I have a patient who is a programmer and every time she has a consultation with me I tell her the same thing, "I should have been a programmer" these are the most sought-after jobs for payment in BTC. I value my job because I bring food home, although it is not enough. I would like to have the resources to work more and support more. A miner is not even close, buying a TapSigner is a high expense, imagine the rest.

The family business of ceramic and import items are on BTCMAP, but I have to wait for someone to come and buy with BTC, so in the meantime I have to continue acquiring BTC through purchasing or thanks to SN.

If I found a job where I earn in BTC, without a doubt. But unfortunately they are always programmers or people with experience in specialties, where I am not certified and I have no opportunity.

So... I will have to buy BTC, continue working at SN and work for the development of a circular economy in my locality.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

I understand. Taking care of your fam is top priority always.

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @thebullishbitcoiner 12 Sep

Don’t think I’ve found a good opportunity yet. Until then, I’ve just been creating apps and building my skills. 👨‍💻

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Pretty cool!

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @SatsMate 12 Sep

My skills don't translate as much as i'd like as I have a history in supply chain and procurement. Typically more developed companies have these areas. Furthermore, I am not a dev so whenever I look for opportunities they feel limited as 99.99% of jobs seem to be developer focused (bitcoiner jobs https://bitcoinerjobs.com/ & beyond).

I'm keeping my eyes peeled, and I am patient!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

I guess this is the main case for other people.

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @BlokchainB 12 Sep

Stacker news is my retirement plan. I plan on owning territories and driving value to them. So when I earn 10 sats in 20 years it will be enough to buy my milk bread and eggs for the week!

It’s my bitcoin job.

317 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Why so bearish? ;)

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 12 Sep

😂😂

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @clarity 12 Sep

I read the first half.

I'm a father and a full-time professional penetration tester, and I'm burnt out on working on projects alone with my ChatGPT friend.

If anybody wants to watch and learn while I do it, I'd be happy to show you... $20/month chatgpt and $6/month cloud instances that you have to maintain. Liquidity automation and everything.

I could build SN, but I've already got something else in mind, but it's a lot for one person to do and be available for.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Interesting...

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @clarity 12 Sep

It really is...

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @cageofaquarius 12 Sep

There is nothing stopping me from getting a Bitcoin career. It is just the idea that most so-called Bitcoin companies are not about believing in the concept of Bitcoin but the concept of turning potential clients into a gullible money faucet. I don't want that.

5 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Maybe true for some... you. can still build your own. Have any ideas?

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @bitalion 12 Sep

It is not really necessary to work in a bitcoin company, but I do believe that accepting bitcoin in your business is as important as the person working in a bitcoin company and perhaps more because that is the way to make bitcoin its real use as money.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Very true. Do you accept btc at your biz?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitalion 12 Sep

I don't have my own business, but I know people who accept Bitcoin and are doing well.

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @OT 12 Sep

I'm working on a children's book. Its coming along OK, but I think later on I might get some help with the illustrations. Illustrations are more important in children's books IMO so I'll have to pay someone.

Still I'm doubtful this will be a profitable thing. You never know, but I think its a good idea to bridge the gap of knowledge from noobs to where most of us are at.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

Children's bitcoin book?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 12 Sep

Yeah.

It will rhyme, educate and attempt to be humorous too

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @briguy2 12 Sep

i've worked at a few crypto (not bitcoin exclusive companies) and left for a couple of reasons.

first one: company wasn't doing well, so i left. i avoided a layoff

second one: company had a lot of bullshit politics with leadership and so focused on growth that i didn't feel fulfilled working there.

i recently landed a job outside of the space and so far it's been great. i was keeping an eye on https://bitcoinerjobs.com/, but never found anything suitable

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

What kind of crypto? Exchanges?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @briguy2 13 Sep

sorry for the late response, but yes one exchange and one crypto-atm company

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @User21000000 11 Sep

Are we better focusing on getting our current employer to pay or use bitcoin instead of going to one of the limited amount of current bitcoin businesses

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

I guess everything adds value.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @oraltosun 15 Sep

What's your role in Bitkit?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave 13 Sep

#678708

Does this count as a Bitcoin career? I don't work but I do Bitcoin.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @brian_sabc 12 Sep

1 and 4. theres not much need for sales professionals

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 12 Sep

Mostly 1 and 2 with a bit of 5,

I am trying to think through how to keep moving in this direction, though. Partly that's writing more original stuff on SN and building my nostr presence. I'll likely start podcasting soon, since I finally feel like I know what I would do with that specifically.

Ultimately, I hope to get on the radar of libertarian organizations, so I can help bring them into our circle.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @clarity 12 Sep

Thanks to whoever just sent me 4k... Strike?

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @jacobo OP 12 Sep

;)

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @Thereal 11 Sep outlawed

stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BiTCOINNEWS2030 12 Sep outlawed

stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jtwoodhouse 12 Sep

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