Thinking about launching a blockchain project this year? The price tag might surprise you.
After analyzing dozens of blockchain implementations, I’ve compiled the REAL costs across the entire development lifecycle:
Development Hours Range Dramatically
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Simple dApp: 300-600 hours ($40K-$50K)
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Mid-complexity: 600-1,200 hours ($50K-$150K)
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Enterprise solution: 1,200-3,000+ hours ($150K-$500K+)
Gas Fees Remain a Critical Ongoing Expense – Choose Wisely
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Ethereum: $0.50-$50 per transaction (ouch!)
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BSC: $0.01-$0.10 per transaction
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Solana: A mere $0.0001-$0.001 per transaction
Don’t Forget These Essential Components
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Security audits: $3K-$50K (non-negotiable)
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Hosting infrastructure: $1.2K-$60K annually
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Tools & third-party services: $500-$20K yearly
The strategic choice of platform, region-based outsourcing, and starting with a focused MVP can dramatically reduce your overall investment.
From my experience implementing enterprise blockchain solutions, I have seen the total first-year cost range from $40K-$810K, depending on complexity, platform choice, team location, security requirements, and transaction volume.
Have you had experience working on blockchain projects? What unexpected costs did you encounter?
