• Matter Labs cuts 16% workforce amid strategic shift to specialized Layer 2 solutions.
  • ZKsync’s native token, ZK, drops 64% since June despite new Elastic Chain launch.
  • Matter Labs offers robust severance, including 3 months’ salary and visa support, post-layoffs.

Matter Labs, a prominent developer behind the Ethereum layer-2 protocol ZKsync, has recently announced a reduction of its workforce by approximately 16%. CEO Alex Gluchowski disclosed this decision as part of a broader organizational restructuring aimed at adapting to evolving technological needs and the changing landscape of developer support on the ZKsync platform.

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I just sent this message to the Matter Labs team:

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Today, I’m sharing the hardest change we had to make in the 6-year history of Matter Labs. We are restructuring the organization and parting ways with many amazing team members (~16% of the team). We’ve already reached out…

— Alex G. (∎, ∆) (@gluk64) September 3, 2024

According to Gluchowski, this move was precipitated by a comprehensive organizational planning exercise, which revealed mismatches between the current workforce and the company’s strategic needs. Based on its LinkedIn profile, Matter Labs employs around 200 individuals, which means the layoffs could affect more than 30 employees.

Strategic Focus and Technological Adaptation

The restructuring aims to align the company more closely with the new demands of the developers utilizing ZKsync. Matter Labs introduced its Elastic Chain in June to mitigate the fragmentation across multiple layer 2 solutions by fostering interoperability among them. 

This development underscored the company’s commitment to providing tailored solutions to distinct types of applications, from gaming to decentralized finance (DeFi), without the need for shared infrastructure.

Gluchowski emphasized the importance of specialized layer 2 networks over general-purpose solutions, reflecting a strategic pivot to support more targeted use cases. This shift is not only a response to developer demands but also a strategic adaptation to the competitive landscape of Ethereum layer-2 networks.

Market Performance and Future Outlook

The recent changes occur against a backdrop of fluctuating market conditions. According to CoinGecko data, ZK, ZKsync’s native coin, has lost 3.14% of its value in the last 24 hours and has decreased 64% since its inception in June. Despite the market challenges, Gluchowski is optimistic about the protocol’s future and role in the larger blockchain ecosystem.

In reaction to the layoffs, Matter Labs has issued a comprehensive severance package for affected employees. The package includes extended healthcare benefits, three months’ base salary, and assistance with job placement and visa concerns.

Implications for the Blockchain Technology Sector

This development at Matter Labs indicates broader trends in the blockchain technology sector, where companies are increasingly required to adapt to rapid changes in technology and market dynamics. The focus on specialized layer 2 solutions may offer a glimpse into the future of blockchain development, where versatility and specificity could drive innovation and user adoption.

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