U.S. crypto industry directly employs 34,000, may contribute over $55B to GDP

The U.S. cryptocurrency industry directly employs 34,000 people and is expected to contribute more than $55 billion to U.S. GDP in 2026, The Block reported, citing a report from the National Cryptocurrency Association. Of that total, about $31 billion is estimated to accrue as worker wages and income. The report said the 34,000 direct jobs include 10,100 in software, blockchain and data engineering; 5,450 in compliance, finance and business operations; and 5,100 in executive and management roles. Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the report added the crypto industry is larger in employment terms than coffee and tea manufacturing, which directly employs 28,400 people, and cement manufacturing, which employs 15,300. By region, California had the most jobs at 57,600, followed by New York with 53,700, Texas with 26,500 and Washington state with 15,000.