Why I Don't Work for Crypto Projects

If you're just coming across my content, you may not know my reputation. I have a reputation among certain crypto communities for being hard on projects. With my background as a developer and 5 years of crypto experience, I make an ideal team member for many projects. I get offers daily (which says more about the ongoing ICO bubble than it does about my qualifications, in my opinion). These offers of roles with teams range from CTO to Dev to Community Manager to Advisor. I've come close to accepting a few, but I have never worked for a crypto project. Some of you may think that with my trading skills that it's about money. It isn't, not really. I've been contemplating why I turn down hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in a field I love.

It's About Reputation

At least in some ways, it's about reputation. I value the reputation I have for being unbiased, but that's a small part of it. I also value my reputation as someone who is aboveboard. Many crypto projects result in vaporware, unfulfilled promises, and other issues. I fear tainting my reputation and do not want to be associated with those sorts of situations. Reputation is a big reason...

Also, Trust

To work with a crypto project, I'd have to trust them with my reputation, trust them to deliver their goals, and trust them on a level that is beyond money. Tying my name to someone else's ethics is a risk. If I invest in an ICO and it doesn't pan out, I've lost a few ETH. People trust me. I'd never want to betray that and for me to participate on the team of a project, I'd have to be willing to put other people's trust at risk. If I could trust...

And Had The Time

The abbreviated schedules of working with a crypto project can be very demanding. I have a business to run and solutions to create. I'd have to rearrange my life to participate with a project. I might be willing to handle the timing...

But NOT for Money

I use large financial compensation demands to scare projects off. No one is paying what I ask for, trust me on that. The closest a project has ever gotten to me joining their team is not with large financial compensation. It is with the promise of innovation, of something revolutionary to work on. I create with code. I used to paint, then I discovered what creativity lies in building something in a way no one else ever has...

It All Comes Down To

More Maslow's Pyramid and less Pyramid Schemes. I got into Bitcoin for the promise of revolution. I've stayed in crypto for innovation. I am disappointed by the number of scams and schemes I see. Beyond it all, there are people working hard with the values I prioritize. I made the decision to launch Cryppick and make an impact because it is a fit for my values. At some point, Cryppick will be well developed and out of beta and I may reconsider my stance if the right project comes along. For now, I'll be over here creating and impacting and exploring and seeing what I can do.

What motivation would you need to work for a crypto project? What would you look for in a crypto project as a potential employer? Upvote and Resteem!

I'm Ash. I have 10 years in tech and 5 in crypto. I write about crypto and tech here on Steemit, teach people about crypto and trading on Cryppick, and tweet about crypto on Twitter. I'm also on LinkedIn and will be guest blogging on a few sites soon!