Nigerian crypto exchange Quidax has carried out another round of layoffs as it deepens its transition toward a business-to-business (B2B) strategy. The move reflects a broader shift among crypto startups prioritising sustainability, infrastructure, and enterprise solutions over retail trading.
Quidax Cuts Jobs Across Key Teams
Quidax recently terminated employees across several departments, including sales, design, and operations, according to reports from TechCabal.
The layoffs were reportedly announced during a company-wide meeting in early March 2026. Affected employees were subsequently notified by the company’s People and Culture team and asked to return company-issued equipment.
While Quidax cited performance-related reasons for the decision, multiple employees indicated that the criteria for these cuts were unclear.
Despite the layoffs, the company paid affected staff their February salaries and provided one month’s severance.
Shift Toward B2B Crypto Infrastructure
The layoffs signal a deeper strategic pivot by Quidax toward B2B offerings, particularly in crypto infrastructure and enterprise payments.
Instead of focusing primarily on retail trading, Quidax is now investing in products that enable businesses and developers to build and integrate blockchain-based financial services.
This shift includes:
- Expanding enterprise crypto payment solutions
- Supporting developers building on-chain financial products
- Strengthening infrastructure partnerships
Notably, Quidax has continued hiring for roles tied to its B2B initiatives even as it reduces overall headcount.
Product Changes Signal Strategic Realignment
Earlier in 2026, Quidax shut down its peer-to-peer (P2P) trading feature, a product that previously allowed users to trade directly with each other.
The company also partnered with Lisk to support developers and expand its infrastructure capabilities.
These moves highlight a clear transition away from consumer-facing trading features toward backend infrastructure and enterprise-grade services.
See more related: Nigeria Moves to Establish Legal Framework for Cryptocurrency and Digital Finance
Not the First Round of Layoffs
This is not Quidax’s first workforce reduction. In 2022, the company laid off about 20% of its staff in response to macroeconomic pressures and a downturn in the global crypto market.
The recurrence of layoffs underscores the ongoing volatility in the crypto sector, where companies must frequently adjust to fluctuating trading volumes and revenue streams.
Industry-Wide Trend: Crypto Startups Tighten Operations
Quidax is not alone in restructuring. Other crypto startups, including Zap Africa, have also reduced their workforce in recent months as they pivot toward leaner, more efficient operating models.
Across the industry, companies are increasingly:
- Cutting operational costs
- Automating processes
- Focusing on revenue-generating products
This reflects a broader shift from aggressive growth strategies to long-term sustainability.
What This Means for Quidax’s Future
Founded in 2017, Quidax has raised approximately $3.6 million and built a platform enabling users to buy, sell, and store digital assets.
Its latest layoffs suggest a decisive move toward becoming a crypto infrastructure provider rather than just a trading platform.
The success of this transition will depend on:
- Adoption of its B2B products
- Stability in the crypto market
- Its ability to compete in the growing infrastructure space
For now, Quidax’s strategy reflects a broader reality: survival in today’s crypto market increasingly depends on efficiency, partnerships, and enterprise use cases.
Conclusion
Quidax’s latest layoffs mark another turning point in its evolution. As the company doubles down on B2B crypto infrastructure, it joins a growing list of startups reshaping their business models to navigate a challenging market environment.
Whether this pivot will position Quidax for long-term growth remains to be seen—but it clearly signals where the future of crypto businesses may be headed.
