Coinbase announced on Tuesday that it is laying off approximately 700 employees, or 14% of its workforce, as part of a broader restructuring. The move is aimed at addressing crypto market volatility and increasing the use of AI tools to improve efficiency, according to an internal email from CEO Brian Armstrong posted on the company blog.
What the restructuring entails
The restructuring will flatten Coinbase's organizational structure to just five layers below the CEO and COO levels. New requirements will push managers to contribute more directly, and leaders may now have more than 15 direct reports. The company is also focusing on forming small teams that use AI tools, and will experiment with “one-person teams” that combine engineering, design, and product management roles.
Cost and rationale
Coinbase expects to incur approximately $50 million to $60 million in severance costs, it said in an SEC filing. In his email, Armstrong cited the volatility of crypto markets as a reason to reexamine the company’s cost structure. “While we’ve managed through that cyclicality many times before and come out stronger on the other side, we’re currently in a down market and need to adjust our cost structure now so that we emerge from this period leaner, faster, and more efficient for our next phase of growth,” he wrote.
AI as a driver
Armstrong also highlighted the need to make the most of AI tools: “AI is changing how we work. Over the past year, I’ve watched engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks. Non-technical teams are now shipping production code and many of our workflows are being automated. The pace of what’s possible with a small, focused team has changed dramatically, and it’s accelerating every day. This is a new way of working, and we need to leverage AI across every facet of our jobs.”
Bottom line
Coinbase is cutting 14% of its staff (about 700 employees) and restructuring to flatten management layers, increase manager workload, and push AI-driven small teams — including one-person teams that combine multiple roles. The company expects $50–60 million in severance costs. The move reflects both crypto market pressures and a bet that AI can dramatically reduce the headcount needed for engineering and other tasks.