The cryptocurrency sector has seen a significant wave of closures this year, with 99 projects officially shutting down in 2026, according to RootData’s recent report. The list tracks ventures that have either filed for bankruptcy, gone offline for extended periods, or formally ceased operations, underlining the ongoing challenge of survival in the crypto space.
Among the projects ending their run are familiar names across various categories: wallets such as Family, Ctrl, and Leap; centralized exchanges like BitMart, BitMEX, and AscendEX; and infrastructure and DeFi platforms including Zapper, Stream Finance, Parsec, Loopring, and Goldfinch. This breadth of closures shows that nearly every segment of the ecosystem has been affected by the current market downturn.
The latest round of shutdowns is distinct from previous cycles because it is not limited to one particular niche. The report highlights projects from exchanges, lending protocols, NFT platforms, Layer-2 solutions, wallets, AI ventures, and developer tools, pointing to a widespread industry consolidation process.
RootData’s data reflects a harsh market reality: many projects born during the 2024-2025 bull run, when venture capital flowed freely and token prices buoyed business models without steady revenue, have been unable to adapt. As capital became more cautious, teams faced pressure to demonstrate real user growth and consistent income streams rather than relying on token price appreciation or fundraising rounds.
Some notable closures like BitMart, which began phasing out trading amid declining market share, illustrate the challenges even larger players face in this environment. The report serves as a reminder that the fast expansion during bullish phases often leads to overextension, and many startups fail to survive the subsequent corrections.
