Australia is no stranger to cryptocurrency, with a recent Coinspot survey revealing 97% of Australians know about crypto and 1 in 5 Australians have interacted with it in some way. Young people, in particular, are adopting crypto at a rate of 10% per year, and almost half of Australians expect to own crypto in 5 years.

In this episode, your Crypto Curious hosts Tracey, Blake, and Craig discuss working in the Australian crypto and blockchain industry. Australia is one of the most forward-thinking countries in the crypto sector, with favourable government legislation and several high-profile startups already making their mark globally. Leading the charge are Aussie crypto startups like Power Ledger, RS Energy, DeHedge, and Immutable X - the fastest growing crypto startup in Australia.

A recent survey from accounting giant EY reveals almost a quarter of Australians could be employed by the crypto industry by 2030, generating a massive A$68 billion and employing 100,000 people. The most in-demand jobs are software engineers, project managers, and developers, but marketing, business and finance jobs are also required to help drive growth in the industry.

The conversation moves to Josh Frydenberg and Senator Andrew Bragg, two Australian politicians who are highly supportive of developing productive crypto regulation and modernising the Australian payment infrastructure. The Bragg Report is a complex and in-depth look into how Australia could formulate a secure and supportive regulatory framework for using cryptocurrencies in the country.

Blake notes the government has clear plans for crypto tax, regulation, and potentially a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). CBDCs have gained popularity around the world recently, offering a highly efficient and auditable payment system using blockchain technology. However, the government is cautious about applying an adequate level of regulation that both protects consumers while also supporting innovation.

In closing, Tracey and Craig discuss the variety of online courses available for those who want to learn more about crypto. Good sources to check out are Fintech Australia and Blockchain Australia, both of which hold regular industry events. Blake also notes the awesome career potential offered by DAOs (decentralised autonomous organisations): companies that exist purely on the blockchain and offer jobs to people all over the world.