Is transitioning to Web3 a panacea for workplace anxiety? A criminal lawyer's in-depth observation.

But can transitioning to Web3 truly be a panacea for workplace burnout and anxiety? Or will it merely alleviate immediate pain while potentially leading to more complex problems? This is a question that every job seeker at different stages of life needs to carefully consider.

Author: Lawyer Shao Shiwei

With the rise of Web3, more and more professionals are turning their attention to this seemingly promising new frontier. As a lawyer specializing in the new economy and Web3, I have had in-depth conversations with over 30 clients seeking career transitions in the past six months. Their questions often begin with legal risks, but at a deeper level, they all reflect anxiety about their current career status, a yearning for a breakthrough, and a profound sense of uncertainty about the future.

But can transitioning to Web3 truly be a panacea for workplace burnout and anxiety? Or will it merely alleviate immediate pain while potentially leading to more complex problems? This is a question that every job seeker at different stages of life needs to carefully consider.

Three types of job seekers' confessions: Why do we yearn for Web3?

Among the consultants, several examples are quite representative.

A recent graduate born in the 2000s is currently working at a cryptocurrency exchange. Knowing the policy risks involved, he repeatedly asked: If working directly for the exchange is risky, would becoming a KOL (Key Opinion Leader) to promote related projects, or working abroad, be a safe way to continue earning money in this industry? His questions, seemingly seeking a path, actually reveal his underlying unease about his first job being in a legal gray area, and his anxiety about quickly establishing himself.

Another programmer born in the 1990s, working for a top tech company and earning a million-dollar annual salary, was tempted by a remote work offer from a leading stock exchange. What attracted him wasn't the substantial salary increase, but rather the freedom and sense of control that "remote work" represented. His anxiety stemmed from his weariness of the high-intensity, highly homogenized "big company life" and his desire to regain control over his time and lifestyle.

Another tech expert, born in the 1980s, currently works at a major domestic company, earning an annual salary exceeding one million yuan. He faces a clearly visible career ceiling—narrow promotion channels and increasingly repetitive work, making it difficult to achieve new growth. At this point, a Web3 project extended an offer to him, also exceeding one million yuan annually, paid in USD stablecoins. This income is comparable to his previous pre-tax salary, meaning he effectively gained hundreds of thousands more in purchasing power, which is undoubtedly very attractive. However, what truly made him consider this option wasn't just the financial aspect. He frankly admitted that at his current stage and within his industry, the chances of achieving another significant career advancement or salary breakthrough were extremely slim. This Web3 offer provided an opportunity for "horizontal" or even "implicit growth" in terms of salary, perhaps allowing him to accumulate years of experience and generate value in a new way. He was thinking about finding a new position where he could still "play" and make a difference in the second half of his career.

On the surface, they were all asking, "Is there any risk in this job? Should I take it?" But through their questions, I saw the anxiety and uncertainty they faced at different stages of their lives.

Those born in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s: A common way out under generational anxiety?

These anxieties manifest themselves differently in people of different ages.

For Gen Z, Web3 is not simply a "transformation," but rather a "home turf" they are trying to define. They are digital natives, naturally resisting becoming a standardized "cog" in the massive Web2 machine. They see Web3 as a tool for building parallel worlds and a new order, yearning to gain rapid recognition here through internet savvy, community influence, and innovation, escaping traditional career constraints.

For the post-90s /millennial generation, the transition is more like a "value breakthrough." They are often the backbone of Web2, yet feel a deep sense of "instrumental" burnout amidst promotion channels, repetitive tasks, and organizational inefficiency. What they seek is ownership and a voice over the fruits of their labor. For them, the flat collaboration, token economy, and global remote work advocated by Web3 are not just new jobs, but a possibility to regain control of their careers and achieve a compound evolution of their skills.

For those born in the 1980s /Xth generation, career transitions are often intertwined with more complex practical considerations. They possess rich experience and resources, but also bear the burdens of family responsibilities and career ceilings. For them, Web3 represents a "value reconstruction" in response to a mid-life crisis, a last ticket to connect with the new era and avoid being left behind by the tide. They may no longer aspire to be at the forefront, but rather hope to transform from "players" to "coaches" by taking on roles such as investors, advisors, or ecosystem builders, leveraging their experience for future growth.

Despite differing generational aspirations, the driving forces are similar: a universal yearning to become a "super individual"—a desire to break free from dependence on centralized organizations and achieve full autonomy in economics, identity, and creativity through technological empowerment; and a deep desire to establish new collaborative models—a weariness of the power structure and involution of traditional workplaces, and a yearning for more equal, open, and consensus-based partnerships.

What pitfalls might you encounter with each of the four transformation motivations?

Based on the actual situations of the clients consulted by Attorney Shao, the specific reasons for considering a career change vary across different age groups, but can generally be categorized into four situations: seeking a career breakthrough, pursuing wealth opportunities, exploring career possibilities, and having a transitional mindset. However, a career change driven by temporary anxiety or dissatisfaction may temporarily alleviate immediate pressure. But how to proceed after the change, and what new challenges will be encountered, are, in my opinion, the more realistic questions that job seekers need to think clearly about before making a decision.

1. Those seeking career breakthroughs

These consultants are typically mid-to-senior level executives or technical experts at Web2 companies. What attracts them are the new tracks in the Web3 field that require solving complex problems, such as Real-World Asset Tokenization (RWA) or exploring the combination of artificial intelligence and encryption. What they value is the shift from being a "performer" to a "co-builder" of projects, gaining more direct ownership and a voice in the process.

However, the challenges along this path are also clear. First, there's the challenge of adapting to a changing work environment: mature experience accumulated in older fields may become ineffective or even restrictive under the new working paradigm and rapid iteration pace of Web3. Second, there's the intense competition, where they must compete with graduates from top universities worldwide. Most critically and undeniably, there are the legal risks. If the project or platform they join is non-compliant, even technical experts based in China could be implicated—a fundamental issue that must be prioritized for assessment.

2. Those who seek wealth opportunities

For those transitioning from traditional finance or with a speculative mindset, Web3's appeal lies in its obvious potential for high salaries and the possibility of income leaps through token incentives.

However, this allure comes with high volatility. A significant portion of the salary may be paid in project tokens, whose value fluctuates wildly with the bull and bear markets of the cryptocurrency market, and the job itself is extremely unstable. A deeper risk lies in the "opportunism trap": if one merely chases market trends without developing reusable core skills and knowledge within the industry, the wealth gained is likely to be fleeting and unable to form a sustainable career.

3. Those exploring career possibilities

Many students and young professionals see Web3 as an entry point for exploration. Its appeal lies in its relatively low barrier to entry, allowing them to get started through non-technical roles such as community building and content creation, while also experiencing a more flat and free work culture.

However, they may find that the industry is different from what they initially imagined. The speculative atmosphere sometimes overshadows technological innovation, causing them to feel a sense of loss regarding the value of their work. An even greater challenge lies in the "ambiguity of career path." Unlike the clear career ladders of traditional industries, the Web3 field often lacks a clear growth roadmap, making young people easily feel lost amidst the vast possibilities and unable to find a direction to focus their efforts.

4. Those who hold a transitional mindset

This reflects the mindset of a significant portion of the clients that Attorney Shao has encountered. They view Web3 offers as a way out of their current work predicament, primarily attracted by the "high salary" and "remote work," indicating a clear transitional nature.

For this group of people, there are a few points to note. First, "painkillers" have an expiration date. The high salary and remote benefits that currently attract you may disappear as industry competition intensifies or the market cools down. Entering a highly volatile industry purely driven by short-term gains is very risky.

Secondly, we must be wary of the opportunity cost. If we merely passively complete the tasks at hand without actively learning and accumulating portable skills and project experience, then after the one- or two-year "transition period," we may find ourselves out of touch with the forefront of our original field, and without having built real competitiveness in the new field, putting us in an even more awkward situation.

Finally, there's the self-destructive aspect of mindset. Entering a situation with the intention of only going through the motions makes it difficult to truly engage in work and achieve growth and a sense of accomplishment. This state can actually breed new burnout, leading to a vicious cycle of "constantly escaping for the sake of escaping." Therefore, even if it's considered a transitional phase, a clear goal and proactive planning are necessary.

Be wary of how the industry environment shapes people.

Meanwhile, during the consultation, Attorney Shao discovered that job seekers and their families often focused on different aspects when considering a career change. Job seekers tended to focus on career development itself, while many partners or parents expressed deeper concerns. Their worries were not stemming from a rejection of new industries and technologies, but rather from a keen intuition: the unique environment of the crypto could have a series of complex impacts on people's perceptions and mindsets.

1. Psychological distortion under high pressure

One of the most striking characteristics of this industry is its relentless pace. The market operates 24/7, information changes rapidly, and practitioners are constantly under pressure to respond to change and make decisions. This continuous high-pressure environment can even foster two dangerous mindsets: first, the gamification of high-risk speculative behavior, gradually becoming numb to market fluctuations and potential losses; second, a numbness to the huge losses or even tragedies suffered by others in a community atmosphere rife with hype.

2. The "wild and unregulated" atmosphere in the early stages of the industry

In the past, the industry emphasized grandeur and narrative, and the profit-driven nature of some projects easily eroded idealism and fostered speculation and impetuosity. The industry frequently witnessed wealth miracles and tragedies of complete ruin, and the huge psychological gap could easily drive people to extremes.

Real-life examples:

He and Jia designed and hired Du to develop a decentralized virtual currency trading platform. He hired a professional project security assessment company to conduct a security audit of the platform and issued a matching "D coin".

However, after passing the security audit, He and others launched another set of platform code that failed the security audit and contained a "backdoor" function. Through the "backdoor," He and others could arbitrarily modify the price of "D coins" on the platform and exchange "D coins" for virtual currencies invested by users without their consent. Within two months, 103 investors lost virtual currencies worth approximately RMB 77.76 million. In March 2025, the Hubei court sentenced He and three others to prison terms ranging from three to thirteen years for fraud[i].

3. Cognitive Biases Between Regulators and the Industry

Many practitioners are immersed in narratives of "technological neutrality" and "decentralization equals freedom." However, a crucial fact is often overlooked: these practitioners have their own countries and are subject to legal regulations. For example, numerous judicial cases in recent years have clearly established that many business models claiming to be "innovative finance" or "blockchain applications," such as platforms like "PlusToken," "GUCS Coin," and "Xinjiakang," are essentially guilty of crimes such as organizing and leading pyramid schemes and fundraising fraud.

Decision-Making Guide: Three Assessments That Must Be Completed Before Transitioning to Web3

Job seekers should not make a blanket decision when considering whether to switch to Web3, but should carefully consider the options from different levels, types, and perspectives before making a decision.

First , the risk level of the projects involved should be objectively assessed in light of the domestic policy environment and existing judicial practices. For example, positions where personnel are based in China and only use blockchain as an underlying technological tool for application development typically have relatively controllable overall risks and are generally still included in the scope of technological innovation encouraged by the state.

The common characteristic of these positions is that their business logic always revolves around the real economy or public governance, and does not involve any form of virtual currency issuance, token financing, or trading speculation.

However, if one chooses to enter the field of tokenized finance, the risk boundaries will fundamentally change. For example, participating in the issuance or financing activities of so-called "Real-World Asset Tokenization (RWA)" has been clearly included in the high-risk category of suspected illegal fundraising in China; similarly, providing services such as technology development, product operation, community maintenance, and marketing to overseas virtual currency exchanges or projects, even if done remotely in China, still carries the real risk of being held accountable, based on our past experience with cases.

Secondly , it's essential to return to the individual and carefully assess your resume and skill set. For you, is transitioning to Web3 merely a temporary career move, or a long-term commitment? Are your development direction, skill accumulation, and career path clear for the next three to five years? These are questions you need to consider in advance.

Finally , the family should also be considered as a crucial decision-making unit. The attitudes and resilience of family members go beyond mere emotional support or resistance; they directly impact the quality of family relationships. Family members often base their decisions on a more basic sense of risk. They may not be familiar with the technical details, but they will instinctively focus on the stability, security, and long-term impact on their personal well-being. For example, a high-paying remote job requiring constant monitoring of global markets and a completely disrupted work schedule, even with substantial income, can continuously erode the quality of family life and exacerbate anxieties among family members. This is especially true in areas with high legal risks; if an individual becomes embroiled in legal disputes due to work, the entire family will bear immense economic and emotional stress.

Only after clarifying each of the above factors can a relatively rational and controllable comprehensive decision be made.

[1] A "Switching the Crown Prince" Virtual Currency Scam - Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China https://www.spp.gov.cn/zdgz/202507/t20250725_702180.shtml

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