What’s Up With The Crypto Compliance Job Market ???

Youtube Video: https://lnkd.in/gspT8nRC

Welcome to the episode 15 of the 2nd season of “WE WERE ON A BREAK” - Ross Voice. The series where the host, Stephen Brent Sargeant (Compliance Consultant to Bitfinex) talks to industry professionals during the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) quarantine and gains industry insights and expertise. Has the Big Resignation finally caught up to the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry ?? Stephen dives deep into what the crypto compliance market looks like from a recruiter, consultant and trainer standpoint and discusses the importance in all industry players to educate themselves

In this session, Stephen shares insights on the current state of the crypto compliance community looks like globally and speaks to professionals that both have blockchain investigations experience and those that don’t. He also provides enlightening opinions on what hiring managers can do to retain top talent
**This interview was recorded on January 5, 2022

**Disclaimer**

The views and opinions expressed in this episode (and all episodes) are those of the host and the guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of their employers, contractors or any organization they may be affiliated with now or in the future.

Discussion Topics:
The state of the crypto compliance job market
•The great resignation – Does it really exist ???
•People just have more options
•Even if you hated your job before / wfh / and the extra leniency and less pressure makes that somewhat shitty job look real good
•People are going to be leaving jobs they really like, just because there are so many more opportunities and new niches like nfts, dao and defi to explore
What professionals with blockchain investigations experience or advanced practical experience need to know
•You got options – you are in short supply – push your chest out and walk around like the peacock you are
•Be weary of the high paying shit shows --- yes you know which ones I’m talking about. Operating in major markets without a solid compliance program
oOr the ones too busy to write a job description
•You have options – find a place that you will actually enjoy working and where you feel there is room to grow or be connected with mentors / like minded professionals
•Work with recruiters – yes i know very bias of me to say
•Look at emerging blockchain companies that haven’t built out their compliance department but have raised a tonne of money (start connecting before positions are posted)
•Stop lacking confidence – just because what you are doing doesn’t feel that hard or complex, your skillset is still in high demand
•Dog years – 1 year crypto is like 7 in traditional compliance – use that to your advantage
•Look into opportunities to provide consulting / advisory work on adhoc or equity exchange
•Remember you got the chips – you are interviewing these companies
What professionals without blockchain investigations experience or advanced practical experience need to know
•This reminds me of 4 years ago when i started – enthusiasm is really the only barrier
•Network with your blockchain buddies – many know of jobs that aren’t posted or have a good idea of who has approached them for jobs and might be able to help
•Grab some quick certifications / or attack youtube aggressively
•Apply even if you don’t have certs / strong traditional skills are still in high demand
•Check out my post on how to be job ready for less than $250 – and take a vacation week off and bang out everything that week
•Confidence is key – stop worrying that you have no experience – you should be able to learn how to conduct an investigation on the blockchain via various courses – just explain what you would do in that position
•Although its not impossible – not everyone is going to transition at same pay / seniority as current traditional job
•My thought process is start early in some place where you like the team and think you can get most exposure to different compliance functions and other departments / that experience will pay dividends in pay later on
•Get paid in crypto and live beneath you means / stack equity
What companies need to know
•It’s a candidates market and your thoughts around compensation and work experience really don’t mean anything if you can’t find anyone to fill your roles
oUse house and bidding wars example
•Spend more time and resources investing in your current employees – they are your best recruiters
oMany professionals may entice their traditional peers to want to take the leap – if you employee feels like they are part of a good company
•This includes developing ways to give your current employees more exposure
oLeading or attending events /meetings
oWorking groups with international law enforcement etc
oTraining / speaking / thought leadership opportunities
oCompensation
•Pay a premium for great fits and professionals with positive mindsets
oYou just don’t need someone filing SARS
oYou need them to identify typologies / create reports / make connections with industry peers etc
•Don’t sleep – many companies did not take a break during the holidays from hiring – that luxury doesn’t exist
•Stop with the grueling 4-5 touchpoint interviews



Stephen Brent Sargeant (Host)
•LinkedIn (Best way to reach me) - linkedin.com/in/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams
•Instagram (Everyday type stuff) https://www.instagram.com/stephen_b_sargeant/
•Twitter (I communicate in GIFs) - https://twitter.com/lifesgt
•Business Related Matters (Let’s Collab): stephenbsargeant@gmail.com

Resources
•3 CRYPTO COMPLIANCE JOBS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED (LinkedIn Post) - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams_cryptocurrency-compliance-aml-activity-6884495612910411776-k5SE
•How To Be Crypto Compliance Ready In 2022 For Less Than $250 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams_aml-compliance-blockchain-activity-6878701236447674368-XIP2
•The Chainalysis Crypto Crime Report: https://go.chainalysis.com/2021-Crypto-Crime-Report-demo.html?aliId=eyJpIjoiSFhodzNcL0tGMFkySzV5TlUiLCJ0IjoibE1TWFwvTDM2Y0lENHJhVFpOekVQeUE9PSJ9
•The Elliptic Typologies Report https://www.elliptic.co/resources/typologies-concise-guide-crypto-leaders
•TRM Talks – Short 10 minute webinars: https://www.trmlabs.com/category/trm-talks
•Intro To Cryptocurrency Forensics & Investigation: https://www.udemy.com/course/intro-to-cryptocurrency-forensics-investigation/
•Certified Bitcoin Professional: https://cryptoconsortium.org/certifications/cbp/
•Mastering Blockchain: https://www.amazon.ca/Mastering-Blockchain-Cryptocurrencies-Decentralized-Applications/dp/1492054704/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1RHT8RMV0SRDY&keywords=mastering+blockchain&qid=1639972556&s=books&sprefix=mastering+blockc%2Cstripbooks%2C74&sr=1-4
•Investigating Cryptocurrencies: https://www.amazon.ca/Investigating-Cryptocurrencies-Understanding-Extracting-Blockchain/dp/1119480582


Background Music (beat name: Leslie)
•Goose Goddi (Music Producer) - https://instagram.com/goosegoddi?igshid=1paia8lwy2x3o
•Beats Can Be Found On Amazon Music - https://www.amazon.com/Music-Station-Goose-Goddi/dp/B08B4BLCH1