Consensys lays off 20% of its total workforce

• Consensys cuts 20% of its workforce due to economic and regulatory challenges.
• CEO Joe Lubin criticizes the SEC’s actions as a harmful “abuse of power.”
• The company aims to enhance decentralization and evolve into a “Network State.”

Consensys, a pioneering force in blockchain technology and a primary supporter of the Ethereum network, recently announced a reduction of 20% in its workforce.

Affected employees will receive severance packages, extended healthcare benefits, and outplacement services to support their transition.

The decision stems from a combination of challenging macroeconomic conditions and increasing regulatory pressure in the cryptocurrency sector, with Consensys’ leadership pointing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) “abuse of power” as a significant factor.

In a recent blog post, founder and CEO Joe Lubin expressed frustration over the financial and operational strains imposed by ongoing regulatory actions.

Lubin said, “Multiple cases with the SEC, including ours, represent meaningful jobs and productive investment lost due to the SEC’s abuse of power and Congress’s inability to rectify the problem.” He added that such actions from the government will cost crypto companies millions in legal fees and lost business opportunities, stifling innovation in a sector that is on the cusp of mainstream adoption.

The legal battles between Consensys and the SEC primarily focus on the regulator’s claims that Consensys has been operating as an unregistered broker, particularly through its MetaMask services.

According to the SEC, the company’s operations could involve the offer and sale of securities, which would require formal registration.

The dispute has escalated with Consensys filing a countersuit against the SEC, alleging regulatory overreach. The company argues that the SEC’s aggressive stance is a “power grab” over Ethereum, designed to exert more control over decentralized financial products.

This stance aligns Consensys with several other crypto companies, including Coinbase and Grayscale, that have also resisted SEC enforcement, signalling a larger industry pushback against unclear regulations.

Despite these challenges, Consensys maintains a strong market position, continuing to focus on Ethereum-based products like MetaMask and Infura, which have become essential tools within the blockchain ecosystem.

To navigate this uncertain landscape, the company is taking steps to streamline its operations, positioning itself for agility and long-term sustainability in an evolving, often volatile industry.

Looking forward, Consensys aims to enhance decentralization within its own structure. By progressively transforming its products into protocols, Consensys envisions itself evolving from a centralized company to a “Network State,” with tools like MetaMask anchoring this new direction. This shift could enable a more decentralized, web3-native future, where small, agile companies lead the economy and foster innovation.

Through these structural changes, Consensys seeks to uphold its commitment to Ethereum’s mission while adapting to an ever-changing regulatory and economic environment.