Blockchain, the decentralized ledger technology that allows users to create a permanent record of transactions, has drawn a good deal of hype over the past several years thanks to its connections to cryptocurrency. However, blockchain’s uses also extend to other functions, including “smart contracting.” If these things interest you, you should consider a career or sideline as a blockchain developer—but what blockchain developer skills do you need to succeed?

While the blockchain may seem like a complicated concept, it’s attracted a sizable community of passionate tech pros who are only too happy to share their learnings with you. Many people who specialize in blockchain developer skills start out as software engineers or developers before gravitating toward blockchain tech.

What do you need to learn to become a blockchain developer, and how can you tell if it’s right for you? We asked several experts for their take on blockchain development.

How can you tell if being a blockchain developer is right for you?

“Identifying if a career as a Blockchain Developer aligns with one's aspirations involves both technical inclination and an appreciation for decentralized ideologies,” says Igor Abrosimov, General Manager at AmberSoft. “Fundamentally, if someone has a penchant for cryptography, and data structures, and is intrigued by the marriage of finance and technology, they're off to a good start. However, what truly distinguishes blockchain from other fields is its inherent decentralized ethos. It's not merely about writing code, but understanding the profound implications of creating trustless, permissionless systems that challenge traditional centralized authorities.”

What technical skills does a blockchain developer need?

Blockchain developers need to have a strong foundation in the following technical skills: 

• Programming languages: Blockchain developers must be proficient in at least one programming language, such as Solidity, Rust, or Go, commonly used to develop smart contracts, the self-executing programs that power blockchain applications.
• Cryptography: Blockchain developers need to have a good understanding of cryptography, especially in the context of securing data in blockchain transactions and protecting smart contracts from attack.
• Distributed systems: Blockchain developers must master distributed systems spread across multiple computers. Distributed systems make blockchain networks scalable and secure.
• Data structures: Blockchain developers should master data structures, which are ways of organizing data efficiently and storing blockchain data to implement smart contracts.
• Blockchain architecture: Blockchain developers need a working knowledge of blockchain architecture, which is how blockchain networks are designed and implemented. The architecture includes knowledge of consensus algorithms, blockchain security, and blockchain scalability.

In addition to these technical skills, blockchain developers must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. They need to be able to think creatively and come up with solutions to complex problems. They also need to be able to debug code and identify and fix security vulnerabilities—which is especially important given the much-publicized breaches within the cryptocurrency industry.

“Critical technical skills for a Blockchain developer include proficiency in programming languages such as Solidity, C++, or Java. Understanding data structures, algorithms, cryptography, smart contract development, and distributed ledger technologies is essential,” adds Ramy Daas, President and Founder at VTS. “Familiarity with blockchain platforms like Ethereum and Hyperledger, as well as version control systems and APIs, is also crucial.” 

What additional skills do blockchain developers need?

Here are some additional technical skills that can be beneficial for blockchain developers: 

• Web development: Many blockchain applications are web-based. As a result, knowledge of web development frameworks such as React and Django can benefit blockchain developers.
• Cloud computing: Many blockchain applications deploy on platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). As a result, knowledge of cloud computing can be beneficial for blockchain developers.
• Machine learning: Machine learning can be used to develop new blockchain applications, such as decentralized exchanges and predictive markets. As a result, knowledge of machine learning can be beneficial for blockchain developers.

By developing these technical skills, blockchain developers can become more versatile and marketable to potential employers.

What disciplines beyond crypto should blockchain developers focus on?

“Apart from cryptography and cryptocurrency concepts, Blockchain developers should master disciplines like computer science, software engineering, data structures, algorithms, and networking,” Daas notes. “Understanding economics, finance, and legal aspects of blockchain and smart contracts can also be beneficial.”

“Don't just hang out in the crypto corner,” Sudhir Khatwani, President and CEO at TheMoneyMongers, tells Dice. “Smart contracts are huge and not just about money changing hands. They're changing business, law, you name it. And don't forget about beefing up on cybersecurity. You don’t want to be the one who left the door open for hackers.”

Do you need a degree to be a blockchain developer?

Short answer: it depends. “Degrees in computer science or software engineering sound impressive, and they teach you a lot. But the blockchain beast isn’t tamed by degrees alone,” notes Khatwani. “It respects skill and street smarts. Stay curious, keep tinkering, and absorb all you can—blockchain is more street fight than textbook study.”

In other words, as with many tech professions, becoming a Blockchain developer can come down to your capacity for self-learning. Keep in mind that the more skills you master, the bigger compensation you can demand from clients and potential employers, depending on your choice of career route.

Daas adds: “While there's no specific degree requirement, a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering, or a related field is commonly preferred by employers. Additionally, specialized certifications in blockchain technologies can enhance your credentials and marketability.”

It is possible to get a job as a Blockchain developer without a degree, Daas continues. “Demonstrating a solid portfolio of projects, gaining relevant certifications, showcasing your technical skills through open-source contributions, and networking within the blockchain community can help you secure opportunities in this field.”

What are some questions blockchain developers might face in an interview?

We asked experts what questions they might ask in an interview for a blockchain developer role. Here are some of the questions you might encounter when interviewing:

• Describe the consensus algorithms commonly used in blockchain and their advantages and disadvantages.
• How would you design a secure smart contract to handle a decentralized voting system on the blockchain?
• Explain the hashing process in blockchain and its role in ensuring data integrity.
• What are the potential scalability challenges in blockchain technology, and how can they be mitigated?
• Discuss the differences between public and private blockchains and their use cases.
• What is a smart contract, and how does it work?
• What are the different types of consensus mechanisms used in blockchain networks?
• What are some of the potential applications of blockchain technology outside of the financial industry?
• Describe a situation where you optimized an intelligent contract's gas usage. What techniques or tools did you employ?
• Given a use case like supply chain tracking, how would you leverage blockchain technology to ensure transparency and security?
• How many minimum BIP 39 vocabulary words would you need to create a wallet?
• A group of people can get funds by Claim method from a single, smart contract. Give the most efficient way to distribute the funds.
• You have users who have NFTs in the ETH blockchain, and the product marketing manager asks you to distribute rewards via claim at another blockchain; how will you make it?

As our experts point out, it’s essential to embrace blockchain as a concept, not a means to an end. Blockchain is relatively new technology, and very much finding its way. If you master the core skills related to it, you have a shot at contributing to its evolution.