Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee: A Likely Major Blow to America’s Crypto Industry

The U.S. cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors face a severe talent crunch as new visa rules take effect. Starting September 21, companies must pay $100,000 annually per H-1B worker—a staggering increase from the current $1,700-$4,500 fee. This policy shift threatens an industry that relies heavily on specialized international engineers.

Blockchain firms disproportionately depend on the H-1B program, which allocates 85,000 visas annually via lottery. Two-thirds of recipients fill computer-related roles—precisely the niche skills required for smart contract development, protocol engineering, and decentralized finance systems. Blockchain Technologies LLC alone filed 204 H-1B applications in recent years, while even small mining operations regularly tap foreign talent.

The Ripple effects extend beyond crypto-native firms. Traditional financial giants like Visa actively recruit blockchain developers with expertise in public ledgers and stablecoins. With India and China being primary talent pipelines, the exorbitant new fee could stifle innovation across Web3 infrastructure and institutional crypto adoption.