The scale of the reduction varies by department, with some teams facing total dissolution while others see staff counts trimmed by 10% to 15%. These adjustments extend beyond the company’s Singapore headquarters, reflecting a company-wide effort to pivot its business model. A company spokesperson described the cuts as a routine assessment of staffing needs aligned with shifting business priorities.

This downsizing arrives as Sea, one of Southeast Asia's most valuable firms, doubles down on a growth strategy centered on emerging technology. Earlier this year, the company deepened its partnership with Google to develop agentic AI shopping prototypes. CEO Forrest Li has repeatedly emphasized that capturing the value of AI is essential for the company to achieve its long-term ambition of reaching a $1 trillion market capitalization.