NEAR Foundation Cuts Workforce by 40%

The NEAR Foundation, the driving force behind the Layer 1 blockchain NEAR Protocol, has recently announced a significant restructuring plan that involves a 40% reduction in its team. This decision, revealed by CEO Illia Polosukhin on January 11, comes as the organization shifts its focus toward a more targeted set of activities. The move is said to be a result of an internal review that identified inefficiencies within the Foundation's operations, prompting a strategic consolidation of its core team.

Downsizing Details:
The restructuring plan will impact 35 team members across various departments, including marketing, business development, and community teams. In his announcement, Polosukhin expressed the Foundation's commitment to supporting the affected colleagues during this transition, facilitating their exploration of new opportunities within the NEAR ecosystem, the broader Web3 industry, and beyond.

Review Findings:
The decision to downsize appears to be rooted in a comprehensive review of the Foundation's activities, revealing shortcomings in its effectiveness. Polosukhin stated, "Following this review, we have decided to significantly consolidate the core Foundation team to focus on a narrower and higher-impact set of activities." This strategic realignment aims to enhance the Foundation's overall efficiency and impact in the blockchain space.

Financial Standing:
Despite the organizational changes, Polosukhin reassured the community that the NEAR Treasury remains robust. With over $285 million in fiat currency, 305 million NEAR tokens (valued at over $1 billion), and $70 million in investments and loans, the Foundation maintains a strong financial position. This stability provides a foundation for the ongoing development and growth of the NEAR Protocol.

Allegations by Wintermute:
In November, crypto market-making firm Wintermute raised serious allegations against the NEAR Foundation and its subsidiary Aurora Labs. Wintermute's founder and CEO, Evgeny Gaevoy, accused the Foundation of failing to honor an $11 million redemption deal related to NEAR's now-defunct stablecoin, USN. The transaction was supposed to allow Wintermute to redeem USN for USDT on a 1:1 basis. However, NEAR Foundation allegedly refused to honor their commitments, leaving Wintermute without the expected USDT despite submitting the redemption request months earlier.

Conclusion:
The NEAR Protocol's recent restructuring and the subsequent allegations by Wintermute add a layer of complexity to the blockchain project's narrative. As the NEAR Foundation navigates these challenges, the broader blockchain community will be watching closely to assess the impact on the protocol's development, adoption, and overall reputation. The combination of internal changes and external criticisms underscores the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry and the importance of transparency and accountability in sustaining trust within the ecosystem.