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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1/ Defining Tokens — A taxonomy for making sense and categorizing the endless array of token types. 

Looking at the sources of value accrual makes it easy to distinguish ETH, FTX’s token, USDC, TRUMP, CryptoPunks and even APPL stock.

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1/ Defining Tokens — A taxonomy for making sense and categorizing the endless array of token types. 

Looking at the sources of value accrual makes it easy to distinguish ETH, FTX’s token, USDC, TRUMP, CryptoPunks and even APPL stock.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/defining-tokens/

2/ Incentivizing Decentralization – Exploring why decentralization matters and needs regulatory incentives.

Centralization is a natural force like gravity, but blockchains can help us escape it.

3/ Control-Based Decentralization Framework — In this SEC submission, we demonstrate how a new control-focused approach to decentralization can be used to tackle the most significant and complex crypto issues under securities laws.

3/ Control-Based Decentralization Framework — In this SEC submission, we demonstrate how a new control-focused approach to decentralization can be used to tackle the most significant and complex crypto issues under securities laws.
https://api.a16zcrypto.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a16z-Crypto-SEC-RFI-Questions-1-through-6-March-13-2025.pdf

4/ Protocol Designs for Decentralization – How decentralization can be incentivized in different complex smart contract protocol models, including social, NFT and RWA protocols.

4/ Protocol Designs for Decentralization – How decentralization can be incentivized in different complex smart contract protocol models, including social, NFT and RWA protocols.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/web3-decentralization-models-framework-principles-how-to/

5/ Token Launches – 5 simple rules for token launches that every entrepreneur should know and (still!) follow.

5/ Token Launches – 5 simple rules for token launches that every entrepreneur should know and (still!) follow.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/5-rules-for-token-launches/

6/ DeFi Framework — Exploring how regulation of DeFi should only focus on areas where intermediary-related risks arise. 

Following this principle provides a roadmap for frontend app, smart contract, blockchain, and decentralized governance design.

6/ DeFi Framework — Exploring how regulation of DeFi should only focus on areas where intermediary-related risks arise. 

Following this principle provides a roadmap for frontend app, smart contract, blockchain, and decentralized governance design.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/series/regulate-apps-not-protocols-ranp/

7/ DAO Framework – A legal entity selection framework for DAOs and discussion of the many risks of offshore structures.

7/ DAO Framework – A legal entity selection framework for DAOs and discussion of the many risks of offshore structures.
https://api.a16zcrypto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/dao-legal-framework-part-2.pdf

8/ DAO Framework - Introduction of a new legal entity form, the Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA), specially tailored for DAOs.

8/ DAO Framework - Introduction of a new legal entity form, the Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA), specially tailored for DAOs.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4749245

9/ Decentralized Governance – How the creation of a Machiavellian DAO can drive more effective decentralized governance – a system that incentivizes competition, empowers rivals and uses non-token based voting.

9/ Decentralized Governance – How the creation of a Machiavellian DAO can drive more effective decentralized governance – a system that incentivizes competition, empowers rivals and uses non-token based voting.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/machiavelli-principles-dao-decentralized-governance/

10/ NFT Licenses – Overview of licensing for NFTs and introduction to the “Can’t Be Evil” NFT licenses.

10/ NFT Licenses – Overview of licensing for NFTs and introduction to the “Can’t Be Evil” NFT licenses.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/introducing-nft-licenses/

+/ For more (30+ posts across 250+ pages), see:

+/ For more (30+ posts across 250+ pages), see:
https://a16zcrypto.com/team/miles-jennings/

2/ Incentivizing Decentralization – Exploring why decentralization matters and needs regulatory incentives.

Centralization is a natural force like gravity, but blockchains can help us escape it.
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/why-decentralization-matters-incentivizing-decentralization-incentives/