News Verizon Hiring Blockchain Experts for ‘Distributed Network’ Project

U.S. telecom giant Verizon appears ready to join the blockchain space as its website currently lists 35 vacancies requiring ‘blockchain technology knowledge’.

Verizon Joins the Fray

A recent LinkedIn post for blockchain-engineers indicates that telecom giant, Verizon, could be in the process of building a blockchain-based product focused on privacy, payments, and security.

According to Verizon’s website the company is looking to hire five blockchain engineers, along with a “blockchain technology development” lead. Currently, Verizon has 35 listed vacancies that require ‘blockchain knowledge’.

The role is described as requiring a person who:

Will be responsible for developing and delivering of initial prototypes and product proof-of-concepts which includes use case development, technical requirements, customer co-development testing and commercialization handoff.

One advert further explained that, “the focus of the individual will be on blockchain and other identity/security initiatives. (e.g. confidential computing, secure payments) in the emerging technology space.”

Searching for a ‘Blockchain’ Needle in a Haystack

It’s clear that Verizon intends to build a “distributed network [with] various use cases” and the telecom giant is not the first major player to assemble the team required to focus on blockchain innovation.

Earlier this year, AT&T began accepting Bitcoin for cable payments via payments processor BitPay. Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and a larger number of financial institutions have also been on a blockchain technology engineer hiring frenzy since early 2018. In fact, Verizon could encounter some difficulty in hiring suitable candidates.

A senior engineer familiar with the blockchain-sector told The Block that Google, Facebook, and Microsoft are “taking the cream of the crop” when it comes to hiring blockchain engineers. The un-named engineers said:

I have interviewed over 100 candidates in the last couple of years and it’s getting harder to find good caliber candidates in blockchain.”



Do you think Verizon will roll-out a blockchain-based product before the end of 2019? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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