MANTRA, a layer 1 blockchain project centered around Real-World Assets (RWAs), has announced a major restructuring of its operations and workforce. The decision, revealed by founder John Patrick Mullin, comes after the blockchain project faced a series of challenges that severely impacted its growth trajectory. Mullin took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain the reasoning behind the move and provided the community with insights into how the project plans to move forward in 2026.
According to Mullin, the restructuring stems from several factors that have hindered the project’s progress. These include the inability to meet key targets, coupled with the financial challenges following the market downturn. MANTRA’s ambitions were notably affected by the events of April 2025, which Mullin described as “unfair.” The combination of an ongoing market slump, increased competition, and shifting market dynamics forced the team to reassess its approach.
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
Strategic Downsizing to Foster Efficiency
As part of the strategic shift, MANTRA will implement a leaner operational structure. The company intends to focus its resources on its most critical initiatives while optimizing internal processes for greater efficiency. This will involve a reduction in the size of various departments, including business development, marketing, and human resources. The restructuring is a necessary step to adjust the company’s cost structure to its current financial reality.
The decision to downsize follows a period of heavy investment between 2024 and early 2025, which ultimately strained the company’s financial resources. Although the company aimed for expansive growth, these aggressive investments turned unsustainable, leading to a reevaluation of its financial approach. MANTRA now seeks to focus on capital efficiency, prioritizing high-value projects and cutting out non-essential expenses to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Deprecation of ERC20 OM Token
In addition to restructuring its operations, MANTRA announced the formal deprecation of its ERC20 OM token. Starting January 15, 2026, the token will no longer be supported, marking a significant shift in the blockchain’s strategy. This move is aimed at simplifying the project’s ecosystem and aligning it more closely with the new, leaner operational model.
The price of the OM token has also faced a significant decline in recent times, with a massive loss of over 99% of its value in the previous year. This depreciation is another sign of the challenges the project has faced and a motivating factor behind the restructuring.
MANTRA’s efforts to stabilize its operations reflect the broader pressures faced by blockchain projects in an increasingly competitive market. The company’s focus on capital-efficient strategies and operational streamlining is designed to navigate these difficult times, providing the foundation for future growth despite the setbacks.