10 THINGS EVERY BLOCKCHAIN ENGINEER SHOULD KNOW IN 2020

The world of blockchain technology has exploded in the last decade, moving far beyond its initial association with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.Today, blockchain's applications stretch across industries like finance, healthcare, supply chain management, and even the Internet of Things (IoT). 97 Things Every Cloud Engineer Should Know Collective Wisdom from the Experts Beijing Boston Farnham SebastopolTokyo. December 2025: First EditionIf you're a blockchain engineer, or aspiring to be one, simply knowing the basics isn't enough to stay relevant and competitive. The above mentions figure is an approximation result from glassdoor and could fluctuate over time. Also, the salary depends upon the company, job location, technical skills, and experience. The Blockchain Engineer could get between $150,000 and $175,000 on average per year as a paid salary. Is Blockchain engineer the same as Blockchain developer?The demand for skilled blockchain professionals has skyrocketed, with some reports indicating a growth of over 500% in recent years.This surge means that engineers need to constantly update their knowledge base and skillset to meet the evolving demands of the industry.But where do you start?What are the crucial areas to focus on?This article will delve into ten key aspects that every blockchain engineer should have a firm grasp on in 2020 (and whose principles remain foundational), providing a roadmap to navigate this exciting and rapidly changing landscape, ensuring you're not just keeping up, but staying ahead of the curve.

1. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The discovery of the electron in 1897 was followed by the invention of the transistor in _________, Since the development of the integrated circuit in 2025, Moore's Law has correctly predicted that the number of transistors on a semiconductor chip should double about every ____ years, Electronic conduction in a semiconductorBlockchain Interoperability: Connecting the Chains

Blockchain interoperability refers to the ability of different blockchains to communicate, share data, and transact with each other seamlessly. P. S. - If you are interested to learn more about things programmers should know, there is a lot of guidance available in terms of essential stuff for programmers, and you can find man great advice on the internet like 97 Things Programmer should know, a must-read for every serious programmer.Imagine a world where different blockchain networks can effortlessly exchange information, assets, and functionalities. Whether you{ textquoteright}re an engineer looking to expand your knowledge, a city planner seeking to understand the latest trends, or simply someone interested in the future of urban living, What Every Engineer Should Know About Smart Cities is the ultimate guide to unlocking the potential of smart cities for sustainable urban development andThis is the promise of interoperability, and it's becoming increasingly critical for the industry's overall success.

Why is this so important? Internet of Things (IoT) products and cyber-physical systems (CPS) are being utilized in almost every discipline and there continues to be significant increases in spending on design, development, and deployment of IoT applications and analytics within every domain, from our homes, schools, government, and industry. This practical text provides an introduction to IoT that can be understood byThink about it: the current blockchain landscape is fragmented, with numerous independent blockchains operating in silos.This limits their scalability, efficiency, and potential for widespread adoption. By the end of the course, you will be able to: Recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications, Explain the underlying principle of materials science: structure leads to properties, Identify the role of thermally activated processes in many of these important things as illustratedInteroperability aims to break down these barriers, creating a more interconnected and collaborative ecosystem.Blockchain engineers need to understand the various approaches to achieving interoperability, including:

• Atomic Swaps: Enabling direct peer-to-peer exchange of cryptocurrencies between different blockchains without the need for a centralized intermediary.
• Sidechains: Independent blockchains that are connected to a main blockchain, allowing for the transfer of assets and data between them.
• Relays: A mechanism where one blockchain can verify the state of another blockchain, enabling cross-chain communication and data transfer.
• Bridges: Applications and protocols that connect two independent blockchains to enable interoperability between them.

Understanding these concepts and their implementations is crucial for building scalable and efficient blockchain solutions that can interact with a wider range of networks.

2. A few of the best practices that every Python engineer should know in 2025 include; Japanese Blockchain engineer and Crypto expert Tomoaki Sato is joining LiveEdu as its newest ICO advisorDecentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is revolutionizing the financial industry by offering open, permissionless, and transparent alternatives to traditional financial services. PDFDeFi applications leverage blockchain technology to provide services like lending, borrowing, trading, and asset management, all without the need for intermediaries like banks or brokers.

For blockchain engineers, understanding DeFi is paramount.It opens up a whole new world of opportunities to build innovative financial products and services. The top 10 things every software engineer and programmer should know to excel in their field include understanding the customer s business, communication, programming languages and scripting, databases, cloud computing, source control, testing best practices, basic project management skills, saving code changes constantly, and continuousTo excel in this space, you need to be familiar with:

• Smart Contracts: The foundation of DeFi applications, these self-executing contracts automate financial agreements and ensure transparency and security.
• Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs): Platforms that allow users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other, without relying on a centralized exchange.
• Lending and Borrowing Protocols: Platforms that enable users to lend and borrow cryptocurrencies, earning interest or taking out loans without traditional credit checks.
• Stablecoins: Cryptocurrencies pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar, providing price stability for DeFi applications.

Learning to develop and audit smart contracts, understanding the risks associated with DeFi protocols, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in this rapidly evolving field are essential for blockchain engineers in 2020 and beyond.

3.Blockchain Architecture and Cryptography: The Core Foundation

At the heart of every blockchain system lies a complex architecture and sophisticated cryptography.A strong understanding of these fundamentals is non-negotiable for any aspiring or experienced blockchain engineer. Cloud Computing Proficiency. Cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are the backbones of modern applications. Understanding cloud computing concepts, containerization with tools like Docker, and orchestration with Kubernetes is essential.You need to be proficient in:

• Hashing Algorithms: Understanding how cryptographic hash functions like SHA-256 and Keccak-256 are used to create secure and tamper-proof data structures.
• Consensus Mechanisms: Knowing the different consensus algorithms like Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS), and Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS), and their trade-offs in terms of security, scalability, and energy consumption.
• Data Structures: Being familiar with data structures like Merkle trees and their role in efficiently verifying data integrity in a blockchain.
• Public-Key Cryptography: Understanding how public and private keys are used to secure transactions and manage digital identities on the blockchain.

A deep dive into these areas will enable you to design, implement, and troubleshoot blockchain systems effectively, ensuring their security and reliability.

4.Smart Contract Languages: The Building Blocks of dApps

Smart contracts are self-executing agreements written in code and deployed on a blockchain. Blockchain engineers will need to understand blockchain architecture and cryptography, for core developers. Software developers will need web development skills, a relevant smart contract language (if they re building dApps), and potentially UI/UX skills.They are the core building blocks of decentralized applications (dApps) and are essential for automating various processes and interactions on the blockchain.

Therefore, mastering at least one smart contract language is a must for every blockchain engineer.The most popular choices include:

• Solidity: The primary language for developing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Vyper: Another language for Ethereum smart contract development, known for its simplicity and security features.
• Rust: Gaining popularity for smart contract development on platforms like Solana and Polkadot, offering performance and safety advantages.

Beyond just knowing the syntax of these languages, it's crucial to understand best practices for writing secure and efficient smart contracts, as vulnerabilities can lead to significant financial losses.

5. Blockchain engineers can have a head start or stay relevant if they know these 10 aspects of the industry. Maybe not all of them. But the more they know, the better. Blockchain interoperability. Blockchain interoperability refers to the ability of separate blockchains to access, see and share information with each other.Web Development Skills: Bridging the Gap to the User

While the backend of a dApp is built on blockchain technology and smart contracts, the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are just as critical for adoption. A software engineer can t know all tools in detail, but he/she should know the key concepts and underlying technologies. Knowing the right tool and how to use can increase the productivity and quality.Spend some time to learn about tools. 5) Standard Data Structures, Algorithms and Big-O-NotationBlockchain engineers need to possess solid web development skills to create intuitive and engaging frontends for their applications.

This includes proficiency in:

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: The fundamental building blocks of web development.
• Web3.js or Ethers.js: JavaScript libraries that allow web applications to interact with the Ethereum blockchain and smart contracts.
• React, Angular, or Vue.js: Popular JavaScript frameworks for building complex and interactive user interfaces.

Having a strong understanding of web development principles will enable you to create dApps that are not only functional but also user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.

6.Understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain Integration

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly growing network of interconnected devices that collect and exchange data.Integrating blockchain technology with IoT can enhance security, transparency, and efficiency in various applications.

Consider these benefits:

• Data Security: Blockchain's decentralized and tamper-proof nature can secure IoT data, preventing unauthorized access and manipulation.
• Device Identity Management: Blockchain can provide a secure and immutable record of device identities, preventing counterfeiting and unauthorized device access.
• Automated Transactions: Smart contracts can automate transactions between IoT devices, such as payments for energy consumption or data sharing.

Blockchain engineers working with IoT need to understand the challenges and opportunities of integrating these two technologies, including considerations for scalability, privacy, and energy efficiency.

7.Cloud Computing Proficiency: Infrastructure for Blockchain

Cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provide the infrastructure and services needed to build and deploy blockchain applications efficiently. 10 things every new engineer should know. Enoch Robinson Follow. Published in. Imagine Learning Engineering 9 min read -1. Listen. Share. I still remember my first year as anUnderstanding cloud computing concepts and tools is essential for any modern blockchain engineer.

Key areas to focus on include:

• Containerization with Docker: Packaging applications and their dependencies into containers for portability and consistency across different environments.
• Orchestration with Kubernetes: Automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
• Cloud Storage and Databases: Utilizing cloud storage services for storing blockchain data and databases for managing application data.
• Serverless Computing: Leveraging serverless functions for executing code in response to events, without managing servers.

Cloud proficiency enables blockchain engineers to build scalable, resilient, and cost-effective applications.

8.Data Structures, Algorithms, and Big-O Notation: The Fundamentals of Efficient Code

While blockchain technology introduces new concepts and paradigms, the fundamental principles of computer science remain crucial. Blockchain engineers can have a head start or stay relevant if they know these 10 aspects of the industry. Maybe not all of them. But the more they know, the better. Blockchain interoperabilityA strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and Big-O notation is essential for writing efficient and performant code, especially when dealing with large datasets and complex computations on the blockchain.

This includes familiarity with:

• Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, and Graphs: Understanding the properties and use cases of different data structures.
• Sorting and Searching Algorithms: Knowing the different sorting algorithms (e.g., merge sort, quicksort) and searching algorithms (e.g., binary search) and their time and space complexities.
• Big-O Notation: Being able to analyze the performance of algorithms and data structures using Big-O notation, which describes how the runtime or memory usage of an algorithm grows as the input size increases.

These fundamentals will help you write more efficient and scalable blockchain applications.

9.Understanding the Legal and Regulatory Landscape

The legal and regulatory landscape surrounding blockchain technology is constantly evolving. 10 Things Every Blockchain Engineer Should Know in 2025Blockchain engineers need to be aware of the potential legal and regulatory implications of their work, especially when building applications that handle financial transactions or sensitive data.

This includes understanding:

• Data Privacy Regulations: Complying with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA when handling personal data on the blockchain.
• Securities Laws: Understanding whether a token or digital asset qualifies as a security and the implications for compliance.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Regulations: Implementing AML and KYC measures to prevent illicit activities on the blockchain.

Staying informed about the evolving legal and regulatory landscape is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability and compliance of your blockchain projects.

10. A Blockchain engineer may work in finance, healthcare, supply chain management, and government industries. The average salary for a Blockchain engineer in the United States is around $110,000 annually. The demand for Blockchain engineers is growing as more industries adopt Blockchain technology, creating many career opportunities. IntroductionContinuous Learning and Adaptation

The blockchain industry is characterized by its rapid pace of innovation. Request PDFNew technologies, protocols, and applications are constantly emerging.Therefore, the most important skill for any blockchain engineer is the ability to learn continuously and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

This involves:

• Staying Up-to-Date: Following industry news, attending conferences, and reading research papers to stay informed about the latest trends and developments.
• Experimenting with New Technologies: Trying out new frameworks, tools, and protocols to expand your skillset and knowledge base.
• Contributing to Open-Source Projects: Participating in open-source projects to learn from other developers and contribute to the community.
• Networking with Other Professionals: Connecting with other blockchain engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to share knowledge and collaborate on projects.

Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation will ensure that you remain a valuable and sought-after blockchain engineer in this dynamic industry.

Is Blockchain Engineer the Same as Blockchain Developer?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there can be subtle differences.Generally, a Blockchain Engineer has a broader scope, focusing on the overall architecture, security, and scalability of blockchain systems.A Blockchain Developer typically concentrates on building dApps and smart contracts. If you re looking to stay ahead of the curve and explore lucrative career opportunities, it s crucial to have a thorough understanding of the Blockchain ecosystem and the various careers it offers. In this article, we ll delve into the top 10 Blockchain careers that you should know about. Blockchain BasicsHowever, the roles often overlap, and the specific responsibilities can vary depending on the company and project.

What is the Average Salary for a Blockchain Engineer?

The average salary for a blockchain engineer varies depending on location, experience, and skills.However, due to the high demand for skilled blockchain professionals, salaries are generally very competitive. Datamation s focus is on providing insight into the latest trends and innovation in AI, data security, big data, and more, along with in-depth product recommendations and comparisons. More than 1.7M users gain insight and guidance from Datamation every year.In the United States, the average salary can range from $110,000 to $175,000 or higher per year. Original Image from georgejportfolio of Canva. If you haven t taken a course yet. Don t even read step 3. Read this section, and then pick a course and go.This figure can fluctuate based on market demand and specific job requirements.

How to Become a Blockchain Engineer?

Becoming a blockchain engineer typically requires a combination of education, technical skills, and practical experience.Here are some steps you can take:

1. Obtain a Strong Foundation in Computer Science: A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is highly recommended.
2. Learn Blockchain Fundamentals: Take online courses, read books, and attend workshops to learn about blockchain technology, cryptography, and consensus mechanisms.
3. Master Smart Contract Development: Learn a smart contract language like Solidity or Vyper and practice writing and deploying smart contracts.
4. Develop Web Development Skills: Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a JavaScript framework like React or Angular to build user interfaces for dApps.
5. Gain Practical Experience: Contribute to open-source projects, build your own dApps, or participate in hackathons to gain hands-on experience.
6. Network with Other Professionals: Attend industry events and connect with other blockchain engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
7. Stay Up-to-Date: Continuously learn and adapt to new technologies and developments in the blockchain industry.

Conclusion

The blockchain engineering field is dynamic and full of opportunity.By focusing on these 10 key areas – interoperability, DeFi, blockchain architecture, smart contract languages, web development, IoT integration, cloud computing, data structures, legal considerations, and continuous learning – you can position yourself for success in this rapidly growing industry. What is Blockchain technology? Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that securely records transactions across multiple computers. It forms the foundation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Blockchain technology has applications beyond digital currencies, including supply chain management, healthcare, and finance.While 2020 has passed, the core concepts outlined above remain extremely relevant. Blockchain software development is becoming more and more important for any modern software developer and IT startup. Nonetheless, blockchain software production still lacks of a disciplinedEmbrace the challenges, stay curious, and never stop learning.The future of blockchain is being built today, and you can be a part of it.