Focused on real-world assets (RWA), Layer 1 blockchain MANTRA announces a comprehensive strategic restructuring. Co-founder and CEO John Patrick Mullin openly admits that layoffs and operational streamlining will be used to extend the funding runway, aiming to re-enter the competitive landscape by 2026.
(Background: $OM previewed token buyback and burn plans, which once surged 80%! MANTRA will release an analysis report on today’s sharp decline.)
(Additional background: OKX clarified $OM flash crash controversy: platform not responsible for price collapse, MANTRA team ignores suspicious activity.)

Table of Contents

• CEO: This is one of the most difficult decisions
• 2025 Devastation: OM plummets, market cap evaporates, environment changes rapidly
• Streamlining operations, focusing on execution and core priorities
• Remaining team under pressure to move forward, company shifts focus to profitability and sustainability
• Market reactions are polarized; restructuring seen as a key step to stop the bleeding

MANTRA, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on real-world assets (RWA), officially announced today (14th) a comprehensive strategic restructuring. Co-founder and CEO John Patrick Mullin posted a lengthy message on X (formerly Twitter), admitting that the company will significantly reduce its team size to cope with multiple shocks faced over the past year and to pave the way for survival and transformation by 2026.

Today, I’m sharing one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make at MANTRA.

After the most challenging year MANTRA has faced for a multitude of reasons, I’ve decided to restructure the company. This includes reducing our team size and parting ways with a number of…

— JP Mullin (🕉, 🏘️) (@jp_mullin888) January 14, 2026

CEO: This is one of the most difficult decisions

Mullin stated directly in the announcement that this restructuring is one of the most painful and difficult decisions since MANTRA’s founding. He said the team has done everything possible to avoid layoffs, but under current pressures, without adjustment, the existing operational model would no longer be sustainable.

He emphasized that this is not a short-term stopgap, but a move to ensure MANTRA’s continued existence in the future and to regain a competitive edge in the RWA sector.

2025 Devastation: OM plummets, market cap evaporates, environment changes rapidly

Mullin reflected that 2025 was “the most severe year” for MANTRA. The most notable event was the OM token’s over 90% crash within just a few hours in April 2025, causing market cap to evaporate billions of dollars instantly, severely impacting team morale and financial structure.

Additionally, prolonged market downturns, intensified competition in the RWA field, and rapid changes in the crypto industry environment made MANTRA’s previously established cost structure and expansion pace overly burdensome.

Streamlining operations, focusing on execution and core priorities

To stabilize by 2026, MANTRA has decided to shift toward a leaner, more capital-efficient operational model. This restructuring will impact multiple departments, especially Business Development (BD), Marketing, Human Resources (HR), and other support functions, with the most significant effects.

Mullin emphasized that this adjustment does not negate the contributions of affected colleagues, but is driven by strategic needs to “focus on execution and return to core” in the coming year.

In his statement, Mullin expressed deep apologies and gratitude to the departing team members, highlighting that these colleagues are highly valuable talents. He also encouraged industry peers to proactively contact these former MANTRA members if suitable job openings arise.

Meanwhile, MANTRA promised that departing employees will retain their vested rights to future team and advisor token allocations according to the original vesting schedule, attempting to maintain basic trust and goodwill during difficult times.

Remaining team under pressure to move forward, company shifts focus to profitability and sustainability

For the remaining team members, Mullin acknowledged their anxiety and unease but also stated plainly that this restructuring aims to make MANTRA more agile, deliver products faster, and gradually transition toward a profitable and sustainable operation.

He reaffirmed his long-term belief in MANTRA Chain and the entire RWA ecosystem, promising to further clarify the core priorities and operational plans after the restructuring in the coming weeks.

Market reactions are polarized; restructuring seen as a key step to stop the bleeding

The external view generally regards this strategic restructuring as a crucial step for MANTRA to extend its funding runway, stop losses, and revive competitiveness after the 2025 crash storm.

However, OM token’s price remains volatile at low levels, and market reactions are clearly divided. Some see layoffs and restructuring as “necessary evils” that will help the company return to rational development; others worry that frequent adjustments may further weaken long-term confidence and ecological momentum.

Against the backdrop of ongoing attention to the RWA narrative, whether MANTRA can stabilize itself through this painful restructuring remains to be seen, dependent on time and execution.