Cryptogrind Daily — Thursday, September 10, 2026

GM, and welcome to Cryptogrind Daily. I’m Alex, here to cut through the noise and dig into the latest goings-on in the crypto world. Today, we’re talking about DevRel salaries, corporate name-swapping, and a meme coin that mixes politics and crypto in a way only 2023 could invent.

First up, let’s talk numbers. DevRel Engineers working in Web3 are looking at some serious salary figures by 2026. With compensation ranging from $90,000 to $300,000 annually, you’d think these folks were hedge fund managers rather than tech liaisons. But let’s break it down. A DevRel Engineer in our space isn’t just a coding savant—although you better believe they speak code fluently. They’re also the bridge builders between the hardcore developers and the broader community. It’s one thing to understand the complex mechanics of a blockchain protocol, and it’s another to relay that information in a way that the rest of the world can digest. These roles are as much about technical chops as they are about communication skills—a rare combo, which explains the pay. The kicker? The crypto space’s rapid-fire evolution means these engineers need to stay ahead of the curve, constantly updating their knowledge base and content. So, if you’re eyeing a career in DevRel, start honing those cross-disciplinary skills now.

Speaking of cross-disciplinary moves, there’s some serious corporate weirdness happening over at Consensys. Or should I say MetaMask? The company known for its wallet is rebranding itself entirely as MetaMask. Meanwhile, the name “Consensys” is being handed off to a startup that’s just been birthed this week. It’s like if Apple decided to call itself iPhone Inc. and pass the Apple name to a new company making, I don’t know, smart toasters. The name switcheroo is part of a restructuring plan announced by Joe Lubin, and it seems to defy conventional business logic. The old Consensys, now MetaMask, will focus on consumer financial products, while the new Consensys steps into the spotlight with Linea, Besu, and Teku. It’s a clean division based on customer focus, but it feels like the kind of corporate shell game that only makes sense in the topsy-turvy world of crypto. Expect some growing pains as everyone adjusts to who’s who and who does what.

And now for the pièce de résistance: Hunter Biden’s foray into the world of meme coins with $LAPTOP. Launching on Base, the Ethereum L2 from Coinbase, this token is part airdrop, part political jab, and entirely absurd. Inspired by the infamous laptop saga, the coin is distributing a chunk of its one billion supply to wallets that got rugged by $TRUMP, the memecoin associated with—you guessed it—the former president. It’s as if Hunter is turning his personal political scandal into a kind of crypto reparations, wrapped in a meme. The move has unsurprisingly sparked immediate controversy on Crypto Twitter, but you have to admit, it’s a ballsy blend of humor and hubris. Whether this token is a genuine attempt at community engagement or just an elaborate troll remains to be seen. All I know is, in crypto, reality often mimics satire, and this is no exception.

So, what does all this mean for jobs and builders in the crypto space? Well, if you’re in DevRel, you should be sharpening your communication skills and preparing to educate an ever-expanding audience. For those in corporate strategy, maybe it’s time to rethink conventional wisdom and consider if your “product” does warrant being your whole identity. And for the token tinkerers out there, remember: the meme might just be mightier than the sword—at least in terms of getting attention.

I’m Alex, see you tomorrow.