Crypto.com has announced a significant restructuring of its global workforce, cutting approximately 12% of its staff. The decision, revealed by CEO Kris Marszalek on Thursday, is part of a broader mandate to accelerate the full-scale integration of artificial intelligence across the entire enterprise.
According to a statement posted by Marszalek on X, the move targets roles that are no longer suited to an environment increasingly dominated by autonomous systems. He emphasized that the transition is a matter of survival, suggesting that firms failing to adopt AI immediately risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving market.
“Companies that act immediately and combine the best AI tools with top talent will achieve unprecedented scale and precision,”
Marszalek stated. He added that the selective elimination of positions was a necessary step to ensure the company remains competitive as it shifts toward an AI-first operational model.
We are joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI. Companies that do not make this pivot immediately will fail. Companies that move slowly will be left behind. Companies that move immediately and pair the best AI tools with top-performers will achieve a level of…
— Kris | ai.com (@kris) March 19, 2026
The workforce reduction follows a period of intense focus on AI for the executive. In February 2026, Marszalek launched ai.com, a platform dedicated to personalized AI agents, which made a high-profile debut during Super Bowl 60. The platform aims to decentralize AI agent networks, allowing users to automate everyday tasks like scheduling and trading.
Strategic shift mirrors broader industry trends
Crypto.com’s latest move mirrors a growing trend within the blockchain-Web3 industry, where firms are increasingly prioritizing AI infrastructure over traditional human-led operations. This restructuring comes shortly after similar pivots from other major players, such as Messari, which recently appointed a new CEO to lead its AI-first strategy and confirmed its own round of workforce reductions.
The exchange has a history of aggressive headcount adjustments in response to market shifts. In January 2023, Crypto.com reduced its staff by 20%, citing “unforeseeable industry events” following the collapse of the FTX exchange. However, unlike previous cuts driven by macroeconomic “crypto winters,” the current layoffs are framed as a proactive technological realignment.
The decision to cut staff while launching new AI-centric products highlights a shift in corporate strategy from expansion to efficiency. Proponents of agentic AI, such as Tether co-founder Reeve Collins, have noted that integrating these tools can abstract away the technical complexity of blockchain, potentially removing barriers to entry for millions of new users.
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