There is no explanation given as to why experience with cryptocurrency is beneficial for the work at JPL but you can have fun speculating. Maybe NASA is looking for ways to develop a new economy for an independent Mars colony, launch an ICO to fund a moon base, or even find a way to trade with space aliens. It could also just be a way to signal to potential applicants that it is looking for people that really love to dive into deep technological and mathematical concepts.
Good load of thought process by whoever wrote the original article as we could possibly be entering a future where one or more of the above mentioned theories could actually be a reality. Imagine a mining farm on Venus which is powered by heat and the amount of sustainability it would offer. A quick thought about the space industry with emergence of private agencies like SpaceX also plays a pivotal role in making these happen.
As for the job, it indeed is a great opportunity for a blockchain/crypto developer to work with the highest degree of sophistication at his/her disposal.