Take your time to become an expert

It took me a year to get a full time role. Take your time to:
1. Decide what you want to become an expert in
2. Become an expert in that niche.

Pick a niche

You want to pick an area of crypto you are interested in and one which you think will do well long term (as these teams will be hiring).

It's all about providing value, what can you provide to them, why you?

Share your proposal for what you would do as sector/country lead (your skills, languages spoken, contacts, network, strategy etc).

DePIN

As crypto expands from software to hardware, DePIN represents real use cases and disruption of traditional industries.

Doing BD at DAWN means I have calls with internet providers, real estate investors, AI projects and other DePIN projects. It's a great mix and DePIN projects need people with Web2 experience across different verticals (wireless, energy, compute etc). Maybe you have worked in telecoms, in surveying or energy.

Prediction Markets

Robotics is similar to prediction markets, as both are new and growing. There’s a space for you to be a leading voice. At the intersection of DePIN and AI, robotics requires a diverse skillset, favouring web2 hires. For example, if you study robotics like it's a module at university, then write with your crypto native hat on. Teams will notice.

Robotics

Robotics is similar to prediction markets, as both are new and growing. There’s a space for you to be a leading voice. At the intersection of DePIN and AI, robotics requires a diverse skillset, favouring web2 hires. For example, if you study robotics like it's a module at university, then write with your crypto native hat on. Teams will notice.

DeFi and AI

But, are you going to be a better web2 hire than someone with TradFi or AI experience?

Your edge will be from your onchain history, use products, use new DEXs, new agents, self host, understand why. Then, provide feedback, have an opinion, comment in discord etc.

ZK/MPC/FHE

As a BD you want to focus on understanding why projects are important, rather than the specific underlying technology. Understanding the crypto industry takes time. Learning the advanced cryptography is a long term play, but will always play off. You just have to be realistic with time and priorities.

I did an introduction to cryptography from the University of Leeds and the Chainlink Smart Contract Bootcamp. Probably overkill for the role, but not necessarily for your development.

I went to ZK12 and I was out of my depth. The first talk I went to was on maths. So, you have to prioritise accordingly.

How deep to go?

This is a common question. I think you should alternate.

Go deep into Bitcoin, the tech (whitepaper) and the philosophy (Saylor series).

Then, go broad into Ethereum, Solana, Tornado Cash, zcash. Understand why they are different and what they are optmising for.

Then, either go deep within one of those ecosystems and attend their conferences. Or, go broad into your favourite niches (DePIN, Prediction Markets, Robots, DeFi).