Global cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has reduced its workforce by approximately 14%, a restructuring effort that CEO Brian Armstrong stated is necessary to transition the company into a “lean, fast, and AI-native” operation.
The layoffs, announced on May 5, 2026, have significantly impacted the Asia-Pacific (APAC) growth teams, particularly those responsible for expanding the Base ecosystem, which is Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, across Southeast Asia.
A communications person who can speak on behalf of Coinbase said it will not disclose more information about Coinbase and Base’s situation in the Philippines.
The “AI-Native” Restructuring
In an email sent to employees and publicly shared on X (formerly Twitter), Armstrong cited two converging forces driving the layoffs: market cyclicality and the profound operational shifts brought on by Artificial Intelligence.
While noting that Coinbase remains “well-capitalized” with diversified revenue streams, Armstrong described the current environment as a “down market” that necessitates an immediate adjustment to the company’s cost structure.
However, the primary driver highlighted by the CEO was the integration of AI into daily workflows. “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,” Armstrong wrote.
He outlined the company’s new operational strategy, which includes:
- Fewer Layers: Flattening the organizational structure to a maximum of five layers below the CEO/COO.
- No Pure Managers: Requiring all leaders to operate as “player-coaches” and actively contribute as individual workers.
- AI-Native Pods: Concentrating talent around managing “fleets of agents” and experimenting with “one-person teams” where engineering, design, and product management are handled within a single role.
“We’re fundamentally changing how we operate: rebuilding Coinbase as an intelligence, with humans around the edge aligning it,” Armstrong stated. Affected US employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks base pay and their next equity vest, while international employees will receive similar support based on local regulations.
Impact on Southeast Asia and APAC Teams
The shift toward AI automation and leaner teams has resulted in immediate cuts to the APAC growth division, specifically personnel driving regional adoption for the Base network.
Following the CEO’s announcement, several former employees from the Southeast Asia region took to X to announce their sudden departures.
Angeline Vivian, who led growth initiatives in Indonesia, expressed shock at the decision. “From building @baseindo with a small group of vendors into a real team, to helping make Indonesia one of the top countries using the Base app… this journey has meant everything to me,” she wrote, noting that she had anticipated remaining in the role for years.
Similarly, Wyneseo, who focused on ecosystem expansion across Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, confirmed being affected by the cuts. In a post, Wyneseo highlighted their work in “onboarding creators, communities, and new markets,” as well as “building internal dashboards and AI workflows to improve team speed and alignment.”
Other global growth and recruitment personnel for Base, such as Connor Holliman, also announced their departures, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of their roles that span recruitment, content creation, and running the student track for the Base Batches accelerator program.
Addressing the regional cuts, Nick Tong (Nibel_eth), who appears to remain with the Base APAC team, stated, “There’s some amazing talent that were unfortunately let go from @baseapac, but they have helped build the foundation of what @base in Asia is today.” He actively encouraged founders and institutions to reach out to the displaced talent. (Tong was previously interviewed by BitPinas: Interview: Base Singapore Lead Details ‘Trading-First’ Pivot and APAC Strategy)
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Base Philippines recently had its first anniversary where they announced their key plans for the year. (Read More: [Event Recap] Base Philippines Eyes Expanded Builder Tracks for 2026)
This article is published on BitPinas: Coinbase Lays Off 14% to Become “AI-Native,” Hitting Southeast Asia Growth Teams
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