a16z Renames a16z Crypto as a16z Frontier, Broadening Its Investment Scope

Andreessen Horowitz is widening its crypto investment arm’s mandate to include emerging technology businesses, renaming a16z Crypto as a16z Frontier while keeping crypto investments in scope.

The firm announced the change Oct. 22, saying it wants to invest in technologies and markets that may take years to develop. Managing partner Chris Dixon said the expanded remit would not end crypto investments: “This is an expansion: we will continue to invest in crypto and related ventures and advocate for sensible crypto regulation.”

Its wider mandate covers AI products and autonomous machines, work involving biology and medicine, and networks linking people with AI agents. Dixon will lead the fund with a16z founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, and general partners Eddy Lazzarin and Guy Wuollet.

Dixon’s rationale is that blockchain use across Wall Street and fintech has blurred the lines between crypto companies and other technology businesses. “Blockchains will play a significant role in this transformation,” he said. The firm said crypto could give new networks native economic capabilities and enable machine-to-machine transactions.

The announcement does not specify how much capital will go to crypto or how the fund will divide investments across its broader mandate. It confirms the name change that TokenPost previously described as under consideration.