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Crypto Rout Prompts U.K.'s Coinfloor to Reorganize and Cut Staff

U.K. Bitcoin Exchange Coinfloor Cuts Staff Amid Crypto Rout

(Bloomberg) -- Coinfloor will cut staff as the U.K. Bitcoin exchange restructures its operations amid a sell-off in cryptocurrencies.

“We are currently working on a business restructure to ensure that we focus on our competitive advantages in the marketplace,” said Coinfloor Chief Executive Officer Obi Nwosu. “As part of this restructure, we are making some staff changes and redundancies.” He declined to say how many jobs will be cut.

Financial News reported earlier Monday that the London-based exchange will cut most of its approximately 40 employees, citing two unidentified people familiar with the matter. Nwosu told Financial News it’s normal business practice to adjust staff numbers according to changes in the market environment, and that the exchange has seen significant change in trading volumes in the market.

Cryptocurrencies crashed to earth in 2018 after the speculative frenzy that fanned a rally last year fizzled amid scrutiny from regulators and the slow pace of institutional adoption of digital assets. Having lost over half its value so far this year, Bitcoin is now trading in a relatively tight range.

Hundreds of crypto exchanges have sprung up in recent years. However, the number of number of transactions in Bitcoin has declined significantly from late last year, so the volumes may be too low to sustain all of the exchanges.

Coinfloor, which started in 2013, says its the oldest Bitcoin exchange in the U.K. The company is backed by Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of U.K. fintech TransferWise Ltd., and venture capital firm Passion Capital, according to its website.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alastair Marsh in London at amarsh25@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Elisa Martinuzzi at emartinuzzi@bloomberg.net, Andrew Blackman, Paul Armstrong

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.