From smart contract developer to token economist: new job profiles in the crypto market

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What is driving companies to hire token economists – even though they have no plans to launch their own cryptocurrency?

A token economist – an expert in the modelling, distribution and impact of digital tokens – deals precisely with questions such as these: How can incentives be designed fairly and sustainably in a digital ecosystem, even if no proprietary coin is issued? Digital tokens are programmable units on a blockchain that can represent rights, values or access options – such as ownership, voting rights or digital assets.

The question therefore seems contradictory. After all, token models, smart contracts and DAO governance have long been considered the preserve of Web3 start-ups and crypto exchanges. But this view is outdated. More and more companies, including those in regulated environments, are recognising the strategic added value of decentralised technologies. They are hiring talent that they couldn't even identify two years ago (Cointelegraph 2023). This development is not hype. It is a sign of structural change – and a challenge for recruiting.

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Where they work – and what that changes

Before we look at the new positions, let's briefly consider the areas in which these roles are used. Web3 roles are increasingly appearing in industries that we at Numeris Consulting find particularly exciting. That's right: finance, legal and real estate.

Finance: Banks are analysing DeFi protocols. Insurers are experimenting with smart contracts for automated claims reporting. Asset managers are setting up digital asset units. Treasury departments are examining the integration of tokenised assets into balance sheet structures.

Legal: Law firms are developing Web3 contract models, advising on tokenisation and hiring smart contract auditors. Legal engineers who can translate technical specifications into legal logic are also increasingly in demand.

Real estate: From land registry tokenisation to blockchain-based rental agreements, new talent is needed here too to translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into usable products. This includes models for dynamic rent distribution and token-based investment vehicles.

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New roles. New requirements. New search strategies.

The number of new job profiles in the Web3 environment has exploded in the last 24 months. What sets them apart? Very few of them can be identified with classic patterns. Many of these talents operate anonymously, are active in DAOs (decentralised autonomous organisations) or showcase their work on GitHub – rather than on their CVs. This not only makes the search more difficult – it fundamentally transforms it, as our colleagues at alphacoders have discovered. Anyone who wants to attract Web3 talent needs a keen eye for skills rather than just qualifications. And tools that make less obvious candidates visible.
These roles are particularly in demand.

Smart contract developers: They program blockchain contracts that automate processes and control assets. What's particularly exciting is that tokenised ownership is giving rise to new billing logic in the real estate industry. These developers must be able to combine law, IT and economics. Their contributions range from developing technical protocols to integrating them into ERP and financial systems.

Token economists: They analyse how incentives, governance and monetisation can be combined in token-based ecosystems. This role is increasingly in demand in areas such as digital finance and platform models – often as an interface between the CFO and product. They also support pilot projects for the tokenisation of tangible assets or develop KPI-based valuation models for token ecosystems.

Crypto compliance specialists: Whether financial service providers, asset management entities such as family offices or specialised legal tech companies, the regulatory uncertainty in Web3 requires new roles that can operationalise anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) regulations and tax obligations for token projects. Many of these professionals originally come from traditional auditing or regulatory law and have specialised in blockchain topics through advanced training.

DAO strategists: Decentralised organisations operate according to different rules. Companies that want to rethink participation models are bringing governance specialists into their organisations, often with backgrounds in law, sociology or community design. Such models may become particularly relevant in the future in real estate project development or public-private partnerships.

Web3 UX designers: Real estate and legal tech providers in particular rely on intuitive interfaces for wallets, signatures and onboarding processes. Good UX is crucial here for user confidence – and thus for success. This role requires close cooperation with product development, regulatory affairs and data protection.

DeFi analysts: More and more funds, banks and venture capital firms are analysing decentralised financial markets. Those who understand liquidity, tokenomics or staking mechanisms can prepare investment decisions at an early stage. Real estate-backed stablecoins and fractional ownership models are also increasingly becoming part of the field of application.

Blockchain security engineers: Security breaches can quickly cost millions. Especially with tokenised assets, NFT platforms or digital identity solutions, professionals are needed to check protocols and mitigate risks. Their work includes audits, penetration tests and incident response at the smart contract level.

NFT strategists: NFTs are not only digital art. For brands, museums and real estate developers, NFTs offer new opportunities for identification, securitisation and community building. This role combines creation, law and platform strategy. Loyalty models with ownership components are also among the typical tasks.

Web3 people strategists: This new HR role is gaining importance. Those who prepare internal talent for Web3, curate upskilling programmes or develop DAO-compatible HR structures are doing pioneering work. Companies that invest in this expertise early on will benefit from internal innovation capabilities in the long term.

Blockchain project managers: They ensure that Web3 projects run smoothly in a corporate context. Their work is crucial when it comes to integrating traditional processes with decentralised technologies – whether it's handling real estate sales via smart contracts or integrating token incentives into bonus programmes.

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Rethinking recruiting: What really matters

Identifying the right profiles is not only a question of reach. It's also a question of depth. This is where data-based matching models come into play, which can discover talent that is not visible on traditional platforms. Particularly important:

Analysis of open source activities, DAO participation, community reputation
Skill mapping beyond standardised CVs
Targeted outreach via niche-specific platforms and communities

Another success factor: speed and trust. Web3 talent expects quick feedback, transparent processes and contact persons who are familiar with their projects. Read more on this topic: Web3 recruiting – what really matters

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Conclusion: Look in the right place to secure your future

The world of work is changing. Tokenisation, decentralisation and smart contracts are more than just technology. They are transforming roles, structures and expectations. Companies that understand this must not only identify new profiles. They must also be prepared to evolve themselves.

Numeris Consulting supports you in this process, bringing together technological understanding and the right contacts. With a clear vision, data-driven tools and a strong network, we can uncover talent that would otherwise remain hidden. And we connect them with companies that want more than just expertise: responsibility, excellence and future-proof skills. Get in touch with us.

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