Talking Tokens Arianna Simpson on web3, Stablecoins & Global Adoption
On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Arianna Simpson, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) crypto, one of the most influential firms in tech and crypto.
Arianna shares her journey from Facebook to founding her own venture fund, and eventually joining a16z. They discuss how the firm approaches early-stage web3 investments, what they look for in founders, and the sectors she’s most excited about, including stablecoins and decentralized AI infrastructure. She also talks about global adoption trends, navigating regulation, and why the next wave of blockchain innovation will be more user-focused than ever.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro: Who is Arianna Simpson?
(01:20) - From Facebook to founding a crypto venture fund
(04:10) - Joining a16z crypto and early-stage investment focus
(07:15) - How a16z chooses which founders to back
(10:05) - Key sectors on a16z’s radar: stablecoins, DeFi, infrastructure
(13:00) - Why user experience will drive the next wave of adoption
(15:45) - Global adoption trends and emerging markets
(18:40) - Navigating regulation and policy changes
(21:20) - Advice for founders entering the space now
(24:15) - The role of storytelling in raising capital
(27:10) - How founders can stand out to top investors
(30:25) - Building resilience through market cycles
(33:45) - Common mistakes early-stage founders make
(36:40) - Final thoughts: stay adaptable, mission-driven, and bold
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