In 2026, major financial institutions that were previously skeptical of cryptocurrencies are actively recruiting specialists in digital assets and blockchain technology.

Shift in hiring

In 2017, many labeled crypto a scam, and by 2021 critics widely described the sector as a speculative bubble.

By 2026 the largest banks and payments firms publish vacancies for roles spanning product management, blockchain development, trading and digital-asset custody.

Recruiting announcements come from a range of institutions, including AMEX, PayPal, Visa, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock and Citi.

• Crypto product managers.
• Blockchain developers.
• Traders focused on digital markets.
• Specialists in digital-asset operations and custody.

Market context

Institutions that once dismissed bitcoin are now competing for talent, signaling a material change in strategic priorities across the financial sector.

Observers note the shift is not merely prospective; it reflects current hiring patterns and reallocated budgets toward crypto-related capabilities within incumbents.

Operational implications

The hiring wave appears to accelerate internal initiatives for custody, tokenization and blockchain integration inside traditional banking operations and payment networks.

These trends may also influence vendor relationships, technology spending and partnerships between established financial firms and specialized crypto providers.