StarkWare cuts jobs, splits into apps and Starknet units

StarkWare will cut staff and split into two business units — applications and Starknet development — as it shifts focus from infrastructure work to products intended to generate revenue, CEO Eli Ben-Sasson wrote in internal remarks. The company confirmed headcount reductions but did not disclose how many employees will be affected.

Ben-Sasson wrote the company will adopt a “startup mode” mindset, concentrate on fewer initiatives with higher revenue potential, and restructure to speed execution and improve efficiency.

The reorganization creates one unit focused on building applications and another dedicated to ongoing Starknet development. Company leaders framed the change as a shift from primarily supplying infrastructure to delivering products with “meaningful revenue” and “meaningful usage.”

Ben-Sasson wrote the firm will prioritize products that can only be built on its cryptographic stack and aim to do “fewer things excellently.” He added the company plans to innovate “across not just infrastructure… but across the whole stack of infrastructure and product.”

The company did not provide a timeline for the reductions or specify which teams will be cut. The executive memo warned the downsizing will affect employees across the organization as priorities narrow and resources are reallocated.

The announcement follows recent staff reductions at other crypto firms. Messari disclosed layoffs and leadership changes on March 17. The Algorand Foundation cut about 25% of its workforce on March 19. Crypto.com reduced roughly 12% of its staff on March 19.