Crypto.com Cuts 12% of Staff in Aggressive AI Pivot
Crypto.com is cutting approximately 180 employees, representing 12% of its 1,500-person global workforce, in a strategic move to integrate artificial intelligence across its operations. CEO Kris Marszalek announced the targeted layoffs on the X platform, framing the decision as a necessary step to maintain a competitive edge.
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 scale and precision that was previously impossible.
— Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com.
Restructuring Follows $70M Domain Purchase and Industry Trend
This workforce reduction is the third for the exchange in recent years, following a significant 20% cut in 2023. The pivot toward automation was signaled in February when the company spent $70 million to acquire the ai.com domain. This move aligns Crypto.com with a broader industry shift, where technology firms are restructuring to capitalize on AI-driven productivity gains. Similar actions have been taken by competitors, including Block, which cut 40% of its workforce, and OKX, which recently restructured its institutional business.
Exchange Balances Job Cuts with US Expansion
While the recurring layoffs could suggest operational pressures, Crypto.com is simultaneously pursuing major growth initiatives. The Singapore-based exchange, which reported 100 million registered accounts and $750 billion in trading volume in 2025, recently secured conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This approval allows it to establish a federally regulated national trust bank, a key step in expanding its custody services to institutional clients in the United States and signaling a long-term strategic focus on regulated markets.
