a16zcrypto

@a16zcrypto

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"Decentralization must be incentivized, not ignored. So I argue in this piece that we must start with a better definition of decentralization — one that moves us beyond the ambiguities that have caused unintended consequences, and that could simplify things for both policymakers and builders." – @milesjennings Full post: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/defining-decentralization-control/

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Tokens aren't cryptocurrency. In this episode of web3 with a16z, @eddy, @skominers, @hackr, @milesjennings, break down what they really are. Tune in: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/token-guide-types-design-uses/ We move beyond conventional categories — like “governance tokens” or “utility tokens” or even “memecoins” — to present a full taxonomy of what tokens are, what they aren’t, and what they’re capable of becoming. Questions we explore: What is a token? Is it a form of money? A piece of data? Something else? How many types of tokens are there — and who is in control of each? And how should we think about their actual economic, legal, and technical characteristics? We also dig into different token designs and their uses; where tokens derive value from; how they jibe with securities law; and much more.

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Learn more: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/custody-principles-tokenized-world/

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If the point of custody is to ensure that investments are responsibly stewarded, then regulation should focus on actual safeguards and protections, not rigid legal classifications. This flow chart shows how it could work.

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Stablecoins have found product market fit and this chart shows it. Stablecoin activity is largely uncorrelated to crypto market cycles – organic, non-speculative use appears to be widespread and growing even as crypto trading volume fluctuates.

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"With AI, one of the fundamental issues is control. This is the most important and the most transformative technology that is going to affect how we live, how we perceive information, how we do day-to-day things. And right now, there are a few companies in control of how you can use this technology. We need an alternative, and this is where blockchain has historically been a really powerful tool to provide a monetizable, but decentralized technology." - @ilblackdragon Full episode: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/ai-apps-near-illia-polosukhin/

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The biggest regulatory news that happened the past couple of weeks. In case you missed it. ➡️ https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/crypto-regulation-news-trump-cra-stable-bill-sec-stablecoins/

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Over 4 years at @a16zcrypto, I've found writing to be the best tool for exploring crypto’s complexity—from advising founders to constructing policy. It’s a discovery engine that demands clarity, consistency and transparency. Here are 10 posts I learned the most from writing:

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Everything you ever wanted to know about AIRDROPS, packaged just for you... Thanks @eddy @darenmatsuoka @andyhall for coming on the show.

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In this episode, we talk about one of the most familiar — and most misunderstood — mechanics in crypto: the airdrop. We explore the history of airdrops in and outside crypto, the challenges of incentive design, and learnings from airdrops to date. We also answer questions like how do you avoid Sybil attacks and professional airdrop farming? Should your drop be big or small, one-time or ongoing? And what happens when AI agents enter the mix? To break it all down, we’re joined by @eddy, @darenmatsuoka, @andyhall, & @hackr Whether you’re planning a token launch, looking for token rewards, or just curious why airdrops have become such a powerful mechanism in crypto — this episode is for you. https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/all-about-airdrops/

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CSX - Week 1 🫡

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Network Tokens (BTC, ETH, SOL) vs. Company-Backed Tokens (FTT): 1️⃣ Is the system open? 2️⃣ Do network effects accrue to the system/token? 3️⃣ Can tokenholders accrue independent value? If yes, then whether it's a L1, L2, DeFi or gaming token, it's likely a network token:

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i spoke to two economists about congestion pricing — from city blocks to blockchains great conversation with @skominers + Mike Ostrovsky (who has been researching the implementation in NYC)

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In this episode, we’re talking about congestion pricing — an area of mechanism design that’s aimed at alleviating something everyone hates: traffic. In the first part of today’s episode, we’ll trace the history of the economic ideas that got us here. In the middle, we’ll dig deeper into the details of putting congestion pricing into practice, plus technological alternatives. And in the final part, we’ll explore parallels to — and implications for — crypto networks. Our guest is Michael Ostrovsky, a Stanford Economics Professor who specializes in this area and who has done research on congestion pricing in New York. We’re also joined by a16z crypto Research Partner @skominers, who is a Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, where he teaches market design and entrepreneurship. With our host @hackr 🎙️ https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/congestion-pricing-economics-new-york/

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In case you missed it... Here's what's included in our latest newsletter: - Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN): A guide - SEC request for information - Stages for zkVMs - Lessons from a computer scientist turned crypto founder - Updates from DC and beyond Check out the full newsletter here: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/why-depin-matters-newsletter/

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Jason Rosenthal

1/ I’m excited to announce the cohort for our fourth Crypto Startup Accelerator program (CSX 04), starting this week in San Francisco. CSX helps early-stage startups building on blockchain technologies to accelerate development and product-market fit. It is an intensive program that provides the expertise, mentorship, and support that startups need to build ambitious products across industries. Over the next two months, the founders of these companies will get firsthand guidance and support from a16z crypto’s investing and operating teams. We connect founders with capital, industry experts across the a16z network, and a cohort of leading web3 teams. a16z CSX also invests a minimum of $500,000 in each company that’s accepted. The founders in CSX 04 are coming to San Francisco from countries around the world: Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and across the US.

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NFTs unlock incredible opportunities for creators. But regulatory uncertainty is stifling innovation and the most creative minds online. Today, we urged the SEC to bring clarity through a new safe harbor and crowdfunding regime—so creators can build without fear of regulators.

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