With this massive move a16z aims to bring crypto to the mainstream. To expand its operations, a16z is hiring some of the top officials who have worked in the financial regulatory and tech space.
On Thursday, June 24, venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) announced raising a massive $2.2 billion for its Crypto Fund III. The recent commitment from Andreessen comes at a time when the crypto market is relatively undoing massive correction.
GPs Chris Dixon and Katie Haun will be running the Crypto Fund III. Besides, the venture capital firm is also looking to expand its management team that looks after the crypto vertical. In its official press release, the company mentions:
“The largest crypto fund ever raised to date, Crypto Fund III is a validating moment for the ecosystem and another sign that crypto becoming an ever more mainstream part of our financial infrastructure”.
Andreessen Horowitz has been among one of the most active investors in the crypto space. The venture capital giant has also been an early investor in Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ: COIN). A16z netted $450 million from selling its Coinbase holdings immediately post its holdings.
Andressen Horowitz and Its Crypto Funds
Back in 2018, Andreessen Horowitz announced its first crypto fund raking $300 million of LP commitments. Its second fundraise came last year in April 2020 as the company clocked $550 million. The venture capital has now four times suggesting its aggressive penetration in the market.
The recent fundraising is a clear testament to the fact that institutional participation and interest in crypto continue to grow. Moreover, this move also helps Andreessen Horowitz to cement its market positions and compete with giants like Tiger Global. With the latest announcement, Andreessen’s total assets under management have moved past $18.8 billion.
A few days back, news publication Newcomer has already predicted that a16z has been working on a $2 billion crypto fund. Besides, the publication also noted that Andreessen already offloaded its crypto holdings before the recent price crash occurred.
Along with the fundraise, a16z also made some important announcements. The Silicon Valley giant is hiring some of the top players from the legal and financial markets.
Bill Hinman, the former official of the US SEC, joins a16z as an advisory partner. Hinman has been one of those SEC executives who has been instrumental in classifying Ether (ETH) as a “commodity”. Besides, a16z also hired several other top honchos from the crypto from the tech and the financial sector. The venture capital firm noted:
“As with any new computing movement, crypto has endured a variety of challenges and misconceptions. That’s why we are also bringing together heavy-hitters across several functions to help translate crypto to the mainstream.”
Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.
