H1 2026 saw massive crypto layoffs amid Bitcoin's decline, but M&A surged to $9.37B. Traditional finance giants like Mastercard and Franklin Templeton acquired payment, custody, and compliance infrastructure, focusing on stablecoin use cases and institutional-grade adoption, while pure DeFi and non-utility blockchains were left out.
The first half of 2026 has been a tale of two trends in the crypto industry: a wave of large-scale layoffs triggered by the persistent decline of Bitcoin, and a surge in merger and acquisition activity that reached $9.37 billion. The capital rotation is brutally selecting winners and losers beyond human resources.
Traditional financial institutions are leading the buyout spree. Mastercard, Franklin Templeton, and others are accelerating acquisitions of payment processors, custody providers, and compliance-licensed firms, aiming to build the infrastructure needed for stablecoin applications and institutional adoption. In contrast, purely decentralized projects and public blockchains without clear real-world utility have been largely abandoned by capital, with few financing or M&A deals occurring.
This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan. Disclaimer:
The market information, project data, and third-party content displayed on this platform are for industry information sharing only and do not constitute any form of investment advice or return commitment.
Cryptocurrency trading carries high risks. Users should fully assess their risk tolerance and make independent decisions. All profits, losses, and legal responsibilities are borne by the users themselves.
