Coinbase flattens management and trims workforce in AI-driven restructure

Coinbase is cutting 14% of its global workforce and flattening its management structure to a maximum of five layers below CEO/COO. CEO Brian Armstrong cites both the crypto market downturn and an AI-first strategic shift as drivers. The company is replacing traditional managers with 'player-coaches' who are also individual contributors, and plans to create 'AI-native pods' — potentially single-person teams directing AI agents that cover engineering, design, and product roles. Industry CTOs quoted in the piece broadly agree that AI is reducing the need for organizational layers by expanding the context individuals can hold, though the move follows a broader trend of tech companies linking layoffs to AI-driven efficiency.