a16z Crypto Doubles Down: Seoul Office Launch Signals Major Asia Expansion

Silicon Valley's crypto titan plants its flag in East Asia.

Andreessen Horowitz's dedicated crypto arm, a16z crypto, is opening a new headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. The move isn't just about geography—it's a strategic bet on the region's explosive developer talent and its pivotal role in the next wave of web3 adoption.

Why Seoul? Follow the Builders.

The decision zeroes in on South Korea's unique crypto landscape. The country boasts a fiercely retail-driven market, a deep pool of engineering talent, and a regulatory environment that's slowly shifting from hostility to cautious framework-building. For a16z, it's about being on the ground where the protocols are being built and used at scale.

More Than an Outpost

This isn't a satellite office. The Seoul team will lead regional investments, run founder bootcamps, and spearhead policy dialogues across Asia. The goal is to replicate a16z's full-stack 'founder factory' model, providing capital, technical expertise, and operational support to the region's most promising crypto startups.

The Global Chessboard

The expansion highlights a broader trend: crypto's center of gravity is tilting east. With regulatory headwinds still blowing in the U.S., firms with deep pockets are deploying capital and talent where growth is less fettered. It's a classic play—follow the innovation, even if it means navigating a patchwork of local rules that would give a traditional compliance officer nightmares.

For Asia's crypto ecosystem, a16z's arrival is a major validation and a potential catalyst. For the firm, it's a calculated move to secure its position at the frontier. After all, in the race for the next internet, you don't win by watching from Menlo Park.

Seoul chosen amid strong local crypto activity

In its announcement, a16z crypto said South Korea is the second-largest crypto market in the world, citing both the scale of trading activity and the level of retail participation. 

According to the firm, South Korea’s on-chain community remains one of the most active globally, helped by platforms such as Upbit, which consistently records significant trading volumes. 

a16z also pointed out that close to a third of adults in South Korea own cryptocurrency, a level of participation that is far higher compared to most markets.

The choice to base its Asia operations in South Korea’s capital signals a move toward placing staff in the middle of the region’s actual building activity, where new blockchain projects, tools, and infrastructure are being developed rather than only traded or regulated. 

While Hong Kong and Singapore have been the traditional financial centers in the region, South Korea has developed a reputation as a strong base for crypto developers, product-focused start-ups, and active user communities.

Growing interest across Asia

a16z crypto also pointed to broader activity across Asia, mentioning the high rate of crypto ownership in Singapore and the rising on-chain engagement in Japan. Alongside Korea, these countries are becoming places where more users and developers are getting involved with crypto and trying out new on-chain projects. 

The Seoul office will work with teams across these countries, supporting early-stage projects and established companies seeking a foothold in the region.

Sungmo Park to lead regional strategy

SungMo Park will oversee the new office and guide the firm’s work with founders and enterprises. His previous experience, apart from leading APAC efforts at the Monad Foundation, includes serving at Polygon Labs, where he was involved in ecosystem development across East Asia, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and India. 

Park also took to X to share the update, saying, “APAC is already shaping the future of web3, and I believe its impact will only grow from here. Through the network, experience, and relationships I’ve built over the years in this industry, I’ll help a16z crypto’s founders access not just a new market, but the regional context and knowledge they need to scale (and vice versa).”

I'm honored to share that I will be joining @a16zcrypto as Head of APAC go-to-market.

a16z crypto backs exceptional founders, providing not just capital but also hands-on support to help them grow into transformative companies.

Now, a16z crypto is opening an office in Seoul and…

a16z crypto said Park will focus on developing partnerships, expanding distribution channels, and supporting local community growth.

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