Blockchain is one of the technologies that has been mentioned a lot by the community and the press in recent times. And they think that blockchain will become the technology of the future.
Many other large and small companies/businesses have begun to pay attention to blockchain, leading to expanded job opportunities for blockchain developers. So how to become a blockchain developer?
What is a Blockchain developer?
Blockchain developers are programmers who write code and create applications and software based on blockchain-related technologies like web3.js and Solidity.
The primary responsibilities of blockchain developers include building infrastructure for blockchains, designing decentralized applications (dApps), and developing smart contracts.
Vietnam has been one of the countries with the highest cryptocurrency adoption rates since 2018. However, according to Dappros, the number of blockchain engineers in Vietnam has only shown a slight increase between 2018 and 2023. Specifically, there were over 650 developers in 2018, while in 2023, the number was around 1,000 (ranking 8th globally).
Basic steps to become a blockchain developer
Here are the basic steps to become a blockchain developer:
Step 1: A Solid Foundation in IT
Before becoming a blockchain developer, you need a basic understanding of IT (Information Technology) by obtaining a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a relevant IT field.
In addition to formal education, you can participate in foundational coding and IT courses to expand your knowledge and increase your chances of working at large companies.
Most companies like Samsung, IBM, and Coin98 hire IT engineers with the primary requirement of foundational knowledge and a degree or certification. Therefore, having a degree or certification will be a stepping stone in your career as a blockchain developer.
Step 2: Gain Basic Knowledge of Blockchain
After deciding to become a blockchain developer, you must equip yourself with fundamental blockchain knowledge and understand its related applications, such as smart contracts and NFTs.
Specifically, a blockchain developer needs to know about the structure of a blockchain and understand basic terminology like consensus mechanisms and hash functions. Moreover, you also need to learn about Bitcoin, different types of blockchains, and even understand the decentralized nature of this market.
To gain this knowledge, you can explore resources like Coin98 Insights and Binance Academy.
Step 3: Understand Blockchain-Related Programming Languages
Depending on your chosen path, the programming languages you’ll need as a developer will vary. Here are some directions and programming languages you should know to become a developer in the crypto market:
- Blockchain Development: Blockchain developers are those who create data storage networks based on blockchain architecture. Depending on the blockchain, developers need to know languages like TypeScript and Go Lang.
- Game Development: Blockchain game developers are also in high demand by many gaming and blockchain companies. Typically, to become a game developer, you need to have knowledge of languages like Node.js, Javascript/Typescript, and be proficient in toolkits like React Native.
Additionally, blockchain developers should learn about cryptography, the foundation of blockchain network security. With the crypto market constantly under attack by hackers, developers with network security knowledge are a top priority for many companies.
Read more The role of Cryptography in blockchain
Step 4: Smart Contract Development Skills
Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that don’t require third-party verification. They are widely used in the crypto market and play a crucial role in shaping the crypto ecosystem.
Therefore, for blockchain developers, the ability to write smart contracts is a mandatory skill. Moreover, they are responsible for ensuring the security and stability of these smart contracts. Even a small error in a smart contract can cause millions of dollars in damage.
In 2016, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) called “The DAO” was exploited by hackers who took advantage of a vulnerability in its smart contract, allowing them to transfer a large amount of ETH to another wallet address without verification. This resulted in The DAO suffering losses of up to 50 million USD.
Benefits and challenges of becoming a blockchain developer
Every job has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, even a relatively new career path like blockchain development.
Benefits
Here are some of the benefits of becoming a blockchain developer:
- High demand: Currently, businesses of all sizes, both in Vietnam and globally, are starting to expand their presence in the blockchain market, leading to an increasing demand for blockchain engineers. According to Dappros, the number of blockchain engineers has been steadily increasing in all countries from 2018 to 2023.
Numerous Opportunities
Blockchain is not only a market with many opportunities for investors to profit but also a fertile ground for developers. They can participate in hackathons organized by projects like Near and Moonbeam or contribute to the community through platforms like Dune Analytics and Arkham. This helps developers gain more “voice” and recognition in the crypto market.
Challenges
Besides the advantages mentioned above, blockchain developers face some common challenges:
- High Skill and Expertise Requirements: Although blockchain is a new technology field, this market still demands developers with knowledge of cutting-edge concepts like smart contracts and cryptography.
- High Competition: Jobs in the blockchain field are highly competitive, as the crypto market continues to emerge. Therefore, you need to continuously improve your skills and knowledge to be able to work in the blockchain industry.
Some questions about blockchain developers
Blockchain Developer Earnings
A blockchain developer’s income depends on their experience. The minimum salary ranges from 500 USD to over 1,000 USD per month. In addition, blockchain engineers can earn supplemental income from the revenue of blockchain products and project tokens.
What is the Role of a Blockchain Developer?
Typically, a blockchain developer is responsible for building the structure and testing the security of a blockchain network. However, building a blockchain is a demanding and highly specialized task, so many developers start by developing smart contracts and DeFi applications before moving on to blockchain development.
