10 Best Blockchain Jobs Near You (Perfect Match For DevOps Skills)

We’ll cover the best Blockchain jobs in a minute but first, let me ask – Have you tried accessing any of the sluggish crypto exchanges lately?

Look:

The top cryptocurrency websites are posting notices that their services are backlogged and slow due to a flood of new accounts.

Hmm… Cryptocurrency isn’t new, Bitcoin has been around since 2009. Yet, something big is going on that’s caused a surge of investors to start buying Bitcoin and Altcoins such as Ethereum and Litecoin

What changed in the last 3 months of 2017 that’s all of the sudden crushing websites with so much traffic?

They’re calling it FOMO (fear of missing out), but I think disruption is happening that is going to create a lot of career opportunities…

Blockchain Jobs Guide

In this guide, we’re going to zip over a lot of important technical topics related to Blockchain.

First, we’ll try to answer the question posed above, as well as dive into what I think are going to become the best blockchain jobs for you to research for your next career move.

From there we’ll dip into what we’ve discussed regarding DevOps on more than one occasion; you’ll see how these exceptional skills are staged to start paying off big.

Then in the wrap-up, for beginners, I’ll share a few videos that cover what cryptocurrency is and how the blockchain network operates.

Now, let’s get going…

If you’re standing on the sideline wondering where your next job is going to be maybe joining one of the new blockchain technology companies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, or Coinbase should be your next career move.

Do you have what it takes? If you’ve been paying attention for the last year to my career advice you do…

Blockchain Paradigm Shift

Cryptocurrency services that use blockchain technology all need the smartest technicians who can think outside the box because what many of these new companies that are sprouting up around blockchain are doing is not the mainstream.

What I mean is the old school approach to networking, data, and security is being disrupted by new methods and a completely different mindset of transmitting data securely over the web. In essence, a paradigm shift in the old way of the day-to-day.

It’s not easy for even a seasoned IT professional to understand what is going on behind the scene of the blockchain; what’s the value or what problems does blockchain solve, right?

Then we have bunches of non-technical news analysts reporting minute by minute which blockchain companies are the best based only on the Bitcoin value of a companies cryptocurrency.

This misunderstanding is a problem in itself, and may cause you to fear a career in blockchain because what if crypto doesn’t pan out? Understood. But what if it does?

Other Paradigm Shifts

I remember when many people in the mid-80s looked at the PC or Mac and asked the same questions. Fast forward to today, and you’re probably reading this guide from your Mac or PC…

That doesn’t mean you’ll be buying groceries or paying rent or utilities with crypto-coins shortly. But maybe on a larger scale, banks and other prominent financial organizations could find improved and cheaper ways to exchange funds which is what one company named Ripple is suggesting.

Will Ripple really save banks millions or billions of dollars in fees and speed up the transaction process by 10x?

Let me answer this question with another question that might help you to see the bigger picture.

Did replacing the typewriter with the PC create more jobs and improve the world?

I’m going to share a YouTube video I found. It’s a bit old and doesn’t talk about investing, but you should watch it because it goes into the technical deep end of Ripple.

My point for showing you this video interview with David Schwartz, the Chief Cryptographer of Ripple in 2015, was to redirect your mindset away from the buzz about trading crypto coins and show you what smart people are doing behind the scene.

Unfortunately, as I said, most news channels will miss this in their analysis of what is happening in the technology space. But on devopsebook, I’m not here to rave about which crypto coins are the best investment. Like always, I’m here to help anyone looking for career opportunities in technology to see where the trends are going.

The Best Blockchain Jobs

Blockchain technology, from my perspective, solves many legacy problems, as discussed in the video above, but from my experience, shiny new objects create new problems.

Hence, opportunities for new innovative jobs will emerge that help to solve problems that are going to be caused by the cryptocurrency disruption.

Here’s a first-hand example I saw happen 20 years ago when VMware disrupted the server hardware market with virtualization in the 90s. But not only was the server hardware market changed but the wave also caused problems with storage, networking, and security that created new opportunities to fix all these problems and new jobs for people to learn. To this day, some enterprises are still impacted by the disruption caused by virtualization.

As I said, we’re already seeing most of the big crypto exchanges posting notices on their site because of vast amounts of traffic to their signup pages. And this is a small problem that doesn’t account for the new and unknown issues that I guarantee are coming…

DevOps And Blockchain Jobs Are A Match Made In Heaven

And now for the best part of this guide…

For years I’ve been raving about DevOps and now I’m going to predict that having the best team of DevOps skilled engineers who understand infrastructure automation and coding are going to be in the highest sought-after talent for blockchain companies.

Boom! Go ahead and read that again and let it sink in…

If you’re a DevOps engineer, then I want to congratulate you on your accomplishments and willingness to train yourself on all the apps that make up the DevOps toolchain. The payoff is about to get real!

This will be especially true for the new startups that are 100% cloud-based and need people who understand how to design, build, support, and scale cloud resources for new blockchain applications.

And let’s not forget that the DevOps CI/CD model fits perfectly for scaling new cryptocurrency applications that are currently rolling out across 1000s of new blockchain networks.

But that’s not all, having DevOps staff who have coding and development skills will allow quick bug fixing during the SDLC to speed applications to the market before the competition.

Best of all, blockchain jobs are a tremendous opportunity for DevOps engineers because you’ll join new startups at the ground level and hopefully get stock options.

Many of the new leaders in the cryptocurrency space such as Ripple, Cardano, and ChainLink were no-name companies a few weeks ago. Now, these names are all over the news and on Youtube.

Many more companies like these have exploded overnight into the limelight and are reeling from the popularity of the crypto exchanges because their solutions help solve existing or emerging problems.

Blockchain For Beginners

If you’re not sure what the blockchain is then I’m going to suggest you take some time to watch this free Udemy training that covers cryptocurrency, how blockchain works, blockchain mining, and investing.

My recommendation, for now, is to focus more on understanding the emerging changes that are coming to technology versus learning how to invest in cryptocurrency.

Here are videos for you to start with. Then, you can visit Udemy for the full course.

What is s Cryptocurrency?

A cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (like dollars or euros), cryptocurrencies operate on a decentralized system called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger maintained by a network of computers (or nodes).

Cryptocurrencies are typically designed to be free from central control, which means that no government or financial institution has authority over them. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, created in 2009, but there are thousands of other cryptocurrencies today, including Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple.

Some key features of cryptocurrencies include:

1. Decentralization: Cryptocurrencies operate on blockchain technology, which means there is no central authority controlling the currency. Transactions are verified by nodes in the network.
2. Anonymity and Security: Cryptocurrencies provide a high level of security through cryptographic techniques. Users’ identities are generally anonymous, and transactions are secured using encryption.
3. Peer-to-Peer Transactions: Cryptocurrencies allow users to transfer value directly to each other without needing a third party, like a bank, making transactions faster and potentially cheaper.
4. Limited Supply: Many cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have a limited supply, which is intended to make them resistant to inflation. Bitcoin, for example, has a maximum supply of 21 million coins.

Cryptocurrencies are used for various purposes, from investments and trading to buying goods and services. They are known for their price volatility, meaning that their value can rise or fall dramatically over short periods, presenting both opportunities and risks for investors.

What is the Bitcoin Network?

The Bitcoin Network is the decentralized network that facilitates the transfer, storage, and validation of Bitcoin, the first and most widely known cryptocurrency. It operates on blockchain technology, which is a public distributed ledger that records all transactions that have ever taken place on the network.

Here are some key features and components of the Bitcoin Network:

1. Blockchain Technology

• The Bitcoin Network is powered by blockchain, which is a series of blocks that contain transaction information. Each block is linked to the previous one, forming a chain, hence the name “blockchain.”
• The blockchain is maintained by a distributed network of nodes (computers) around the world. It is immutable, meaning that once data is recorded in the blockchain, it cannot be altered without consensus from the network.

2. Decentralization

• The Bitcoin Network is decentralized, meaning there is no central authority or organization that controls it. Instead, it is maintained by a large group of nodes that validate and relay transactions.
• Decentralization makes the Bitcoin Network resistant to censorship, and no single entity can make changes to the system without majority consensus.

3. Nodes

• Nodes are computers that run the Bitcoin software and maintain a copy of the blockchain. Nodes validate new transactions and propagate them to other nodes.
• There are different types of nodes, such as full nodes (which keep a complete copy of the blockchain and validate all rules) and lightweight nodes (which store less data and rely on full nodes for validation).

4. Miners and Proof of Work (PoW)

• The Bitcoin Network relies on miners to create new blocks. Miners use computational power to solve complex mathematical problems, a process known as Proof of Work (PoW).
• Miners compete to solve these problems, and the first to do so gets to add the next block to the blockchain and is rewarded with newly minted Bitcoin plus transaction fees. This process is known as Bitcoin mining.
• Mining provides network security, as the computational difficulty deters malicious actors from taking over the network.

5. Consensus Mechanism

• The Bitcoin Network uses a consensus mechanism called Proof of Work to ensure agreement among nodes regarding the state of the blockchain.
• Through consensus, the network ensures that all nodes have the same copy of the blockchain, preventing issues like double-spending, where the same Bitcoin could be spent more than once.

6. Public and Private Keys

• Transactions on the Bitcoin Network are conducted using cryptographic keys. Each user has a public key (like an address used for receiving Bitcoin) and a private key (used to authorize spending Bitcoin).
• The public key is shared with others for transactions, while the private key must be kept secure, as it is needed to prove ownership of the Bitcoin.

7. Transactions

• A Bitcoin transaction represents the movement of Bitcoin from one address to another. Transactions are broadcast to the network, validated by nodes, and included in a block by miners.
• Transactions are verified by using cryptographic signatures, ensuring that only the owner of the Bitcoin can authorize its transfer.

8. Security and Immutability

• The decentralized nature of the Bitcoin Network, combined with its consensus mechanism, makes it highly secure.
• Immutability is a key feature, meaning once a transaction has been confirmed and added to the blockchain, it cannot be changed. This makes Bitcoin a highly reliable and transparent system.

9. Use Cases of the Bitcoin Network

• Store of Value: Bitcoin is often referred to as “digital gold” because it is seen as a store of value, with a limited supply of 21 million coins.
• Medium of Exchange: Bitcoin can be used for transactions and payments. Some merchants accept Bitcoin, and users can send funds to anyone globally.
• Investment: Many people use Bitcoin as an investment, holding it with the expectation of value appreciation over time.

In summary, the Bitcoin Network is a decentralized, peer-to-peer system that securely records, validates, and transacts Bitcoin using blockchain technology. It is characterized by its open, trustless nature, where participants rely on the transparency and security of the system rather than on any central authority. The Bitcoin Network makes Bitcoin a secure, decentralized cryptocurrency that can be used worldwide.

How does the Bitcoin Blockchain Network Work?

The Bitcoin Blockchain Network works by using a combination of cryptographic security, decentralized consensus, and blockchain technology to securely process, record, and verify transactions. Below, I’ll break down how the key components of the Bitcoin Network work together:

1. Blockchain Basics

• The blockchain is a public ledger that records all transactions made on the Bitcoin Network. It is essentially a chain of blocks, where each block contains transaction data.
• Each block is linked to the previous block by a unique identifier known as a hash, forming a chain of blocks (hence, blockchain). This structure ensures that all transactions are recorded in a sequential, immutable manner.

2. Nodes and Decentralization

• The Bitcoin Network is decentralized, which means it does not have a central authority overseeing it. Instead, it is maintained by a network of computers called nodes.
• Nodes are participants in the network that use the Bitcoin software to validate transactions, store copies of the blockchain, and relay information to other nodes. The decentralized nature ensures that no single entity has control over the network.

3. Transactions and Cryptographic Keys

• Bitcoin transactions involve the transfer of Bitcoin from one user to another. Each user has a public key (like an address) and a private key (used to authorize transactions).
• When someone wants to send Bitcoin, they create a transaction using their private key to sign it. This signature proves ownership of the Bitcoin being spent and prevents unauthorized use.

4. Transaction Broadcasting and Validation

• Once a user creates a transaction, it is broadcast to the network and picked up by the nodes. Nodes validate transactions by checking that the user has sufficient funds and that the transaction follows the rules of the Bitcoin protocol.
• Validated transactions are collected into a group called the mempool until they are added to a block by a miner.

5. Mining and Proof of Work (PoW)

• Mining is the process by which new blocks are added to the blockchain. It is carried out by specialized nodes called miners.
• Miners collect transactions from the mempool and create a new block, which they try to add to the blockchain by solving a complex mathematical puzzle called Proof of Work (PoW).
• The PoW puzzle involves finding a specific number (called a nonce) that, when hashed with the block’s data, produces a hash that meets certain criteria (i.e., it must start with a specific number of leading zeros). This process requires significant computational power.
• The first miner to solve the puzzle broadcasts their solution to the network, and other nodes verify the solution. If correct, the new block is added to the blockchain, and the miner is rewarded with newly minted Bitcoin (the block reward) and the transaction fees from the included transactions.

6. Block Creation and Chain Growth

• Each block in the blockchain contains a list of validated transactions, a reference to the previous block’s hash, and a new hash that identifies the current block.
• The link between blocks ensures that any change in a block would require changes to all subsequent blocks, which is practically impossible due to the computational power required. This makes the blockchain highly secure and immutable.

7. Consensus Mechanism

• The Bitcoin Network uses the Proof of Work consensus mechanism to ensure that all nodes agree on the state of the blockchain.
• Through PoW, miners compete to add new blocks, and the longest chain is always considered the valid one. This prevents malicious actors from adding false information, as altering the blockchain would require controlling more than 50% of the network’s total computational power (known as a 51% attack), which is extremely difficult and costly.

8. Block Time and Difficulty Adjustment

• The average time to create a new block is approximately 10 minutes. The network adjusts the mining difficulty every 2,016 blocks (roughly every two weeks) to maintain this target block time.
• If blocks are being mined too quickly, the difficulty increases, making it harder to solve the PoW puzzle. Conversely, if blocks are being mined too slowly, the difficulty decreases.

9. Chain Validation and Security

• Each node on the network maintains a copy of the blockchain and continuously validates new blocks and transactions. This validation process ensures that no invalid transactions (such as attempts at double-spending) are added to the blockchain.
• The decentralized nature of the Bitcoin Network, combined with PoW, makes it highly resistant to tampering. Since miners need to expend large amounts of computational power, it is extremely difficult for attackers to alter the blockchain.

10. Block Reward and Halving

• Miners are incentivized through the block reward, which consists of new Bitcoin and transaction fees from the included transactions. When Bitcoin launched, the block reward was 50 Bitcoin per block.
• Approximately every four years (or after 210,000 blocks), the block reward is cut in half in an event called halving. This halving process limits the supply of Bitcoin, with a maximum cap of 21 million Bitcoin. This scarcity contributes to Bitcoin’s value as a store of value.

11. Ledger Transparency

• The Bitcoin blockchain is a public ledger, which means anyone can view the transactions recorded on it. While all transaction data is visible, user identities are pseudonymous, identified only by cryptographic public keys.
• This transparency builds trust, as users can independently verify transactions and monitor the entire history of Bitcoin transfers.

Example of How It All Works Together:

1. Creating a Transaction: Alice wants to send 1 Bitcoin to Bob. She uses her private key to create and sign the transaction, then broadcasts it to the network.
2. Transaction Validation: The nodes verify that Alice has 1 Bitcoin to spend and that her transaction follows all the rules. The transaction is then placed in the mempool.
3. Mining: A miner picks up the transaction from the mempool, adds it to a block, and begins solving the PoW puzzle.
4. Adding a Block: Once the miner solves the puzzle, they broadcast the new block to the network. The nodes verify the block and, if valid, add it to their copy of the blockchain.
5. Updating the Ledger: The transaction is now part of the blockchain, and Bob receives 1 Bitcoin. The blockchain is updated across all nodes, maintaining consensus.

Summary

The Bitcoin Blockchain Network is a decentralized system that uses blockchain technology, cryptographic keys, and the Proof of Work consensus mechanism to facilitate, verify, and record transactions. By leveraging mining, nodes, and the transparent ledger of the blockchain, the Bitcoin Network ensures secure, immutable, and tamper-resistant digital currency transactions without the need for intermediaries or centralized control. This is what makes Bitcoin a unique and revolutionary system in the world of finance.

Learn more

This Free Bitcoin course will cover the basics then you can also see what other classes are worth investing in to learn DevOps.

I also suggest reading this guide on the best DevOps training for beginners in case you are a SysAdmin wondering about DevOps.

However, what you’ll learn in this Bitcoin training is how different the IT world is becoming.

The disruption is happening slowly and getting you up-to-speed with relevant DevOps Docker training to give you the advantage is my goal.

Later, you can watch the training again to learn how to set up CoinBase, CoinMama, and Binance accounts for investing in cryptocurrency.

Do you have what it takes to work on the Blockchain?

I know we covered the basics in this guide on the best blockchain jobs, but if you were listening, you see why I am recommending ramping up on your DevOps engineer training as quickly as possible if you intend to join the rush towards the rush the future.

My goal here is to show you where I think the trends for innovative jobs are going to be and not to promote any particular cryptocurrency because right now nobody can really say who will still be around when the dust starts to settle. Although I can guarantee that just like with VMware and virtualization – the market will change.

There is a lot of money (literally billions of US dollars) riding on winning the crypto race and thus the opportunity for a fantastic blockchain job is more real than ever, especially for DevOps engineers.

Please share this guide on social media, and feel free to comment.