Blockchain technology has become one of the most promising technologies with the potential to transform different industries. As a matter of fact, the spending on blockchain solutions reached almost $12 billion in 2022 from $6.6 billion in 2021. Effective blockchain solutions can reduce the cost burden of banks by almost 30%, which amounts to over $10 billion annually. At this point in time, blockchain architect skills can help you land promising job opportunities. How? Businesses interested in adopting blockchain technology would need architects to design their blockchain-based applications, networks or systems.
On top of it, the rising momentum of web3 use cases through blockchain has increased interest in blockchain jobs. If you want to become a blockchain architect, you have to learn about the important skills. The following post helps you learn about the important skills required for blockchain architects.
Why Should You Become Blockchain Architects?
Before you begin your search for the blockchain skills required in architect job roles, it is important to learn about the reasons. Why should you invest your efforts in learning about the skills for the role of a blockchain architect? You can find the answers in the different use cases of blockchain, especially for supporting the concept of a decentralized internet.
Blockchain technology offers a new, open, secure and effective method for registering the details of transactions on a distributed database. Rather than recording transactions on a single centralized database, blockchain registers transactions on different computers connected to the network. The primary reasons for adopting blockchain point to the unique traits of immutability, decentralization, security and transparency.
Online searches for blockchain skills in demand right now have been increasing gradually. The next important aspect in favor of choosing blockchain careers refers to the value of long-term career advantages. Blockchain is not just the technology behind cryptocurrencies anymore. DeFi apps, NFTs, the metaverse and play-to-earn games are some of the notable innovations based on blockchain technology. As of now, the average salary of blockchain architects is around $165,000 and could improve further as you gain experience.
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Responsibilities of Blockchain Architects
You can learn about the skills required for blockchain architects with a detailed impression of blockchain architect responsibilities. The answers to “What does a blockchain architect do?” can help you understand the identity of a blockchain architect. In addition, you can also know about the important skills you need to address the responsibilities. The primary responsibility of blockchain architects focuses on translating business requirements into architectures for blockchain solutions. Here is an outline of the most important highlights of the duties of blockchain architects.
- Blockchain architects have to translate the requirements of clients into blockchain architectures. Architects have to choose the ideal development platform alongside the functionalities they should add to the application.
- The need to learn blockchain skills in demand for architect job roles also reflects on the process of developing favorable concepts into prototypes, which could be implemented in the marketplace.
- Blockchain architects should also develop the MVP requirements for defining successful prototypes in collaboration with blockchain engineers, developers and specialists.
- Architects should also focus on designing and implementing new business models, which would facilitate adaptability to new products, solutions and tools based on blockchain.
- The job of blockchain architects also emphasizes educating product owners and teams to address intentional setbacks. At the same time, blockchain architect skills must also help candidates create safe and trusted environments for collaboration and discussions.
- Blockchain architects should have the capabilities to understand complex business problems and knowledge of best practices for analysis.
Important Skills Required for Blockchain Architects
The responsibilities of blockchain architects provide a clear impression of the types of skills required for the job. The next step of your journey involves learning about the blockchain skills required for becoming a blockchain architect. Blockchain solution architects would have to focus on specific areas of expertise to ensure the best results in their job. What are the specific in-demand skills for a blockchain architect? Here is an outline of the important skills you would need to become a blockchain architect.
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In-depth Knowledge of Blockchain Architecture
How can you become a blockchain architect without knowledge of blockchain architecture? The outline of blockchain skills in demand for blockchain architect jobs always starts with fundamentals of blockchain and its architecture. You have to understand the distributed ledger technology concepts which define the foundations of blockchain technology.
Aspiring blockchain solution architects must learn about the fundamentals of blockchain to start their career journey. Blockchain serves as a distributed database working on a peer-to-peer network for facilitating secure, immutable and transparent transactions. The concept serves as a vital option for businesses to achieve cost savings and improvements in efficiency.
The most important aspect of learning about blockchain architecture refers to the understanding of distributed systems alongside peer-to-peer networking. One of the notable factors in answers to “What does a blockchain architect do?” would focus on distributed nature of blockchain. Architects must have a clear impression of how distributed systems work, and nodes interact with each other.
On top of it, you must understand how blockchain offers freedom from a central point of failure. Another crucial factor in the process of learning about blockchain architecture involves familiarizing yourself with different blockchain networks. Solution architects must learn about the different types of blockchain networks and their respective use cases. Architects must also learn about consensus algorithms alongside security mechanisms for peer-to-peer networks.
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Smart Contract Programming
Another crucial skill for blockchain solution architects points to smart contracts, which are an integral highlight in the blockchain ecosystem. Some people ask questions such as “What coding is required for blockchain jobs?” in their search for blockchain-related jobs.
The answer would obviously direct you toward smart contract programming languages, the most popular one being Solidity. Smart contracts serve as unique additions to blockchain networks for using the power of blockchain in different use cases. Blockchain architects must learn how smart contracts work and their unique value advantages.
On top of it, the blockchain skills in demand for architects also emphasize the need for learning Solidity. You must develop fluency in Solidity programming by learning Solidity fundamentals and the important components of Solidity. Practical experience in creating Solidity smart contract code helps a blockchain architect design effective prototypes for innovative business use cases.
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Cryptography and Principles of Blockchain Security
Blockchain has gained recognition for its use cases in improving security with the help of its cryptographic mechanisms. Cryptography is one of the basic traits of blockchain technology and an important value advantage. However, it is difficult to safeguard a new technology from the clutches of attackers.
Security has emerged as a prominent issue for blockchain-based applications, protocols and networks. As a matter of fact, the cost burden of blockchain security incidents amounts to billions of dollars annually. Therefore, blockchain architect skills must also include expertise in the best practices for ensuring blockchain security.
Cryptography helps in employing unique techniques for protecting transaction records and data against unauthorized access. Blockchain achieves cryptography through hashing mechanisms and consensus. In addition, blockchain architects must also learn about public-private key pairs and zero-knowledge proofs.
Furthermore, blockchain skills in demand for architects should also focus on expertise in smart contract audits and blockchain security audits. The capability for effectively evaluating code for a blockchain solution can introduce an effective highlight in your portfolio as a blockchain architect.
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Programming and Development Expertise
The skills required for blockchain architects would also focus on programming. Why would you need skills in programming as an architect? Programming expertise can help you develop efficient designs which are compatible with the programming languages. The responses to “What coding is required for blockchain architects?” would include programming languages such as Python, Ruby, C++, Java and JavaScript. Programming expertise helps you understand the fundamentals of creating the ideal logic for the blockchain solution architecture of a project.
Candidates preparing for blockchain architect jobs must have skills in web development. A detailed understanding of important standards and practices of web development can help in creating blockchain protocol and dApp designs that would work in real-life use cases. Programming expertise offers the additional advantage of translating your blockchain architecture ideas into real blockchain apps and solutions efficiently.
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Interoperability Expertise
The most pressing concerns in the blockchain ecosystem right now are scalability and interoperability. Layer 2 solutions and many other innovative applications have offered valuable solutions for scalability. On the other hand, APIs have become one of the vital aspects in driving interoperability among blockchain networks.
Some of the new definitions of “What does a blockchain architect do?” would revolve around the requirement of interoperability skills. The isolated blockchain networks can communicate with each other through APIs, which do not require any special technical expertise.
In addition, the skill set of blockchain architects should also include knowledge about blockchain bridges. Bridges have emerged as one of the prominent solutions for interoperability among blockchain networks at a nominal fee. At the same time, blockchain skills in demand for architects must also focus on security issues with blockchain bridges. As a blockchain architect, you must identify secure solutions for facilitating interoperability in your new blockchain projects.
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Business Experience and Soft Skills
The final addition among the must-have skills for blockchain architects refers to business experience and soft skills. Blockchain solutions architects have to work with business clients and non-technical stakeholders who don’t understand blockchain technology. Therefore, the blockchain skills required for solution architects can play a vital role in helping architects serve as the bridge between blockchain and the world of business.
Architects must have the capability to translate the business requirements of clients into technical specifications for end-to-end blockchain solutions. On top of it, solution architects must have the skills to communicate the details of the blockchain solution to all stakeholders.
The abilities of solution architects in leadership and management will also be put to the test in their real jobs. Blockchain solution architects have to manage a team of professionals and experts in different disciplines, including engineers and developers. Therefore, management skills also qualify as crucial blockchain skills in demand for the role of solution architects. Your skills for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of team members can help in finding the ideal strategy for creating an effective and practical blockchain solution.
Conclusion
The overview of skills required for blockchain solutions architects emphasizes the need for learning about blockchain architecture and smart contract programming. At the same time, the blockchain skills in demand for solutions architects also include security and interoperability. Aspiring blockchain architects should also work on their programming and development skills to enhance their portfolio.
The continuously growing ecosystem of blockchain-based applications has created a demand for blockchain professionals. If you want to become a solutions architect, you need to choose the right training resources and career guidance. Choose the best career path for becoming a blockchain solutions architect and learn the skills right now.
*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!
