[Sources: Meta Plans Up to 30% Budget Cut for Metaverse Division Next Year] Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to significantly reduce resources allocated to the so-called metaverse project—a project he once positioned as the company’s future and the main reason for changing the company name from Facebook to Meta. According to people familiar with the matter, the executive team has discussed implementing up to a 30% budget cut for the metaverse division next year. This division covers virtual world product Meta Horizon Worlds and its Quest virtual reality business line. The sources said such a significant cut could trigger layoffs as early as January, though a final decision has not yet been made. They stated that the metaverse project’s cutbacks are part of the company’s budget planning for fiscal year 2026. Zuckerberg held several related meetings at his private estate in Hawaii last month. The sources added that Zuckerberg has asked Meta executives to seek a 10% overall reduction, which has been a standard requirement for budget cycles in recent years. According to these sources, since Meta has not seen the industry-wide competition in this technology sector that was previously anticipated, the metaverse division has been asked to make even deeper cuts this year.