Meta is reportedly planning a 30% reduction in its Reality Labs metaverse budget by 2026, marking the largest cut for the division. This strategic shift aims to reallocate resources towards generative AI and consumer hardware, including AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, which are seen as more profitable ventures. The potential budget cut comes amid a significant downturn in the metaverse-related crypto market, which has plummeted from over $500 billion to $3.4 billion. Tokens such as SAND, MANA, and RENDER have experienced substantial value declines, raising concerns about the sector's sustainability. This move indicates a pivot from long-term metaverse ambitions to strategies focused on immediate returns, impacting the broader ecosystem.