Crypto Project Shutdowns Reach 82 in 2026

Crypto project shutdowns are accelerating in 2026, with researcher Stacy Muur identifying 82 closures across DeFi, blockchain infrastructure and Web3 gaming. The list includes Balancer, Radiant Capital, Neon EVM and Step Finance. Separately, DeFiLlama counted 100 projects that announced closures this year, including 40 in the previous 90 days; the different totals may reflect separate lists or counting methods. Crypto project shutdowns have been linked to falling revenue, exhausted funding and security breaches. DeFiLlama also cited weak product-market fit, too few users and business pivots. Projects in its tally had raised about $1 billion and generated $250 million in fees, illustrating that funding alone does not ensure sustainability. The closures come amid a difficult market, after Bitcoin fell from above $126,000 in October 2025 to below $60,000 earlier this year. Blast, which once held more than $2 billion in deposits, said it had no credible path to economic viability. Step Finance shut down after a treasury exploit, while Radiant Capital planned to wind down after failing to recover from a 2024 exploit. The wave highlights financial and security risks for crypto ventures, particularly those unable to build sustainable revenue.