Crypto careers now more attractive and riskier: finance execs

Improved market liquidity and more regulatory clarity will help mitigate career risks.

Jobs within digital assets, in particular those in the cryptocurrency space, have become more attractive for executives of traditional finance firms over the past 12 months, according to Nickel Digital Asset Management.

In a survey of 260 institutional investors and wealth managers, 95% believe crypto careers are more attractive now more than 12 months ago due to positive sentiment in the sector, the Europe-based fund manager found.

But 1 in 2 or 50% of the respondents—who are executives of pension funds, family offices, insurance asset managers, hedge funds, and wealth managers—also believe that the risks associated with making the switch have increased.

“Digital assets are becoming a credible career destination for traditional finance professionals, but the bar is rising. Senior executives are not simply attracted by growth; they are looking for firms with institutional governance, robust risk management, regulatory discipline and operational resilience,” said Anatoly Crachilov, CEO and founding partner at Nickel Digital Asset Management.

Improved market liquidity is named by 42% as the most significant factor in mitigating career risks for those switching to working with crypto firms.

Around 36% also said greater institutional investment would cut risks, whilst 13% want regulator clarity, and 9% seek better market infrastructure.

The survey involved executives from Singapore, the US, UK, Germany, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and was conducted in January 2026.