On the sixth anniversary of Binance, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, celebrations took a sour turn as the company announced significant layoffs affecting its staff. While Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the CEO of Binance, had earlier emphasized the exchange’s commitment to users and regulatory compliance, the recent events have raised concerns among employees and the crypto community.
The anniversary event, held on July 14, was intended to mark six years of Binance’s operation and highlight the exchange’s dedication to user interests and collaboration with regulators. However, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) broke the news on the same day, reporting that Binance had recently reduced its workforce by as many as 1,000 employees, representing a significant proportion of the total count of 8,000 before the layoffs.
The cuts predominantly affected departments related to global operations and customer service, leading to speculations that up to one-third of the overall workforce could be affected in the ongoing reorganization process. The WSJ cited an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation as a major challenge the exchange is facing, contributing to the need for these layoffs.
In response to the WSJ report, CZ addressed the situation, stating that layoffs happen in every company while suggesting the media’s portrayal of these layoffs are exaggerated to create FUD.
Binance Still Hiring Amidst Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Measures
Despite the recent layoffs, Binance is still actively recruiting new talent. As of the time of this publication, Binance’s website reveals a total of 92 open positions across various departments.
The news of the exchange’s continued recruitment comes after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a follow-up report on July 17, highlighting cost-cutting measures taken by the exchange. Among these measures, the company has reportedly halted employee reimbursements for expenses related to mobile phones, fitness facilities, and home office setups. The cited reason for these cost-saving actions is attributed to the “current market environment and regulatory climate,” which have put significant financial pressures on the exchange.
It is worth noting that Binance is currently embroiled in legal battles with both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The charges against the exchange include alleged violations related to offering unregistered securities and operating an unregistered exchange within the United States.
These legal challenges have further complicated the company’s financial situation, leading to measures aimed at reducing operational expenses.
