The cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has officially refuted rumors suggesting that the company is planning to implement significant workforce reductions. Instead, it has confirmed its intention to conduct regular performance evaluations, which may lead to adjustments in staff levels.
The speculation regarding KuCoin’s potential layoffs surfaced on Tuesday when journalist Colin Wu tweeted that the Seychelles-based exchange was set to reduce its workforce by 30%, impacting approximately 1,000 employees.
SCOOP: Following Binance, cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin will lay off 30% of its labor force. Confirmed by more than 3 internal staff members. KuCoin has almost 1,000 staff members. The primary factor is that the strict KYC policy was implemented after being sued by the United States, which…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 25, 2023
According to three anonymous sources, Colin Wu indicated that the main catalyst for the rumored layoffs was a decline in exchange revenues stemming from a newly enforced Know Your Customer (KYC) policy, alongside ongoing legal challenges in the United States.
In March, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the exchange for allegedly failing to register with the state before offering a platform for users to trade cryptocurrencies.
On July 15, KuCoin also introduced a mandatory know-your-customer procedure that requires users to fully complete the verification process before they can trade or deposit funds on the platform. Colin Wu reported that these two developments contributed significantly to a reduction in KuCoin’s earnings.
Related Reading: Binance Massive Layoff: Over 1,000 Employees Fired
CEO Johnny Lyu Addresses KuCoin’s Workforce Stability Amid Layoff Speculations
In response to the rumors of an impending large-scale layoff at KuCoin, the company’s CEO, Johnny Lyu, took to Twitter to clarify the current status of the organization.
1/ I’m aware of some reports floating around about KuCoin. Let me clarify a couple of points and share a clear picture of how we’re doing.
— Johnny_KuCoin (@lyu_johnny) July 25, 2023
According to Lyu, operations at the KuCoin exchange are running “smoothly,” which counters claims regarding the company’s declining profitability. He highlighted that the KuCoin H1 2023 performance report indicated a significant increase in both users and new token listings, showcasing a robust engagement with the platform.
Addressing the core issue, Johnny Lyu asserted that the exchange is not conducting layoffs. Instead, he emphasized that KuCoin is undergoing regular assessments of employee performance and overall business growth as part of its strategy to maintain its position as a leading crypto exchange. Lyu stated:
The crypto world changes rapidly. To stay on top, we routinely evaluate our organizational structure based on employee performance and business development. So it is not layoffs; it is all about making the company more dynamic and competitive.
Ultimately, the CEO of KuCoin confirmed the company’s commitment to continuously developing its core services and enhancing its offerings for users.
Total Crypto Market Cap Valued At $1.139 Trillion On The Daily Chart | Source: OVERALL Chart On Tradingview.com
Related Reading: Layoffs Not The Only Cost-Cutting At Binance As Employee Benefits Follow Suit
Analyzing the Landscape of Crypto Layoffs in 2023
Staff reductions have emerged as a prominent narrative within the cryptocurrency sector throughout 2023. In January, major cryptocurrency exchanges Crypto.com and Huobi each laid off 20% of their workforce, leading to the termination of approximately 900 and 300 employees, respectively, as they sought to streamline operations.
In the following month, the crypto data analytics firm, Chainalysis, also announced the layoff of 48 of its 900 employees, citing a need for a “reorganization plan” to adapt to the changing market demands.
Recently, the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, also laid off 1,000 employees amid scrutiny from multiple regulatory bodies globally. Reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that this layoff may be part of the exchange’s strategy to reduce its workforce by one-third as it navigates regulatory challenges.
Featured Image From Mondo, Chart From Tradingview.
