Ethereum layer-2 developer OP Labs cuts roles to 'narrow focus'
The firm plays a central role in the development of Optimism, an Ethereum layer-2 scaling network designed to make transactions faster and cheaper by processing activity off the Ethereum main chain.
By Margaux Nijkerk|Edited by Nikhilesh De Mar 12, 2026, 4:19 p.m.
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What to know:
- OP Labs laid off 20 employees as part of a restructuring its CEO said was aimed at narrowing its strategic focus, stressing that the move reflects a refocus on core priorities rather than concerns about financial runway.
- The company said it informed affected staff internally before announcing the move publicly, and encouraged other teams in the crypto ecosystem to reach out about hiring the departing employees.
OP Labs, the main developer firm supporting the Optimism ecosystem, has laid off 20 employees as part of an internal restructuring aimed at sharpening the organization’s strategic focus, according to a message shared by the group's leadership.
In a post on X, CEO of OP Labs Jing Wang said the decision followed internal discussions with affected staff and was communicated to employees before being disclosed publicly. The company said the layoffs were driven by a need to “narrow our focus,” rather than financial constraints.
“This is not about finances,” she said in a Slack message she shared alongside her post. "OP Labs is well capitalized with years of runway."
Instead, she suggested that the move was intended to streamline decision-making and "do fewer things ... exceptionally well."
The OP token is down roughly 3% over the last 24 hours.
OP Labs plays a central role in the development of Optimism, an Ethereum layer-2 scaling network designed to make transactions faster and cheaper by processing activity off the Ethereum main chain. The broader Optimism ecosystem now includes several high-profile chains built on its technology stack, including Coinbase’s Base, Uniswap’s Unichain and Sony’s Soneium.
CoinDesk reached out to OP Labs for comment and to clarify the percentage of staff that was laid off.
Read more: Optimism's OP token falls after Base moves away from the network's 'OP stack' in major tech shift
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