As blockchain investing falls out of vogue, a16z Crypto rebrands as a16z Frontier

The digital asset unit, helmed by Chris Dixon, broadens its scope. In a sign that crypto and blockchain-focused investing has receded in importance, Andreessen Horowitz announced Thursday that it is renaming its digital asset unit from a16z Crypto to a16z Frontier. The practice, helmed by Chris Dixon, has raised nearly $10 billion across five funds since launching in 2018, backing some of the sector’s biggest wins, including Coinbase. Yet for years, a16z and rival venture firms struggled to push crypto’s utility beyond financial rails, trading applications, and speculative assets. Under the new name, the team is broadening its mandate to focus on emerging technologies, be it AI, robotics, or “new kinds of networks” connecting humans and machines.

Yet, the group isn’t abandoning crypto. Dixon wrote in a blog post that blockchain technology could “give new networks native economic capabilities.” Alongside Dixon, a16z Frontier’s general partners include Eddy Lazzarin and Guy Wuollet. Meanwhile, Ali Yahya, who joined the crypto strategy as its first investor in 2017, has left the firm, according to The Information. Buy One Pass, Get a Second FreeCover more ground at TechCrunch’s ultimate founder bootcamp of the year by bringing your co-founder or partner for freeBook before the BOGO deal expires Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility is your destination