Katie Haun splits from a16z to launch her own crypto fund – TechCrunch

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Katie Haun, who co-led Andreessen Horowitz’s $ 2.2 billion crypto fund, is splitting from the company and taking a number of colleagues with her to launch a new crypto-centric fund, reports Axios. Haun joined the firm in 2018 after a career as a federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice working on cybercrime. She has been a very visible face for the company, discussing the regulatory landscape of the crypto industry at events like TechCrunch Disrupt.

A company spokesperson confirmed the news to TechCrunch.

Andreessen Horowitz has become a major presence in the crypto investing world, as they quickly deployed capital to a number of startups in the space. They were ahead. mover with their first $ 300 million crypto investment fund in 2018, which they have since followed with two larger funds, including their current vehicle, the $ 2.2 billion Fund III.

Haun co-led the fund alongside longtime a16z GP Chris Dixon. The company has retained its advantage among traditional firms, but is experiencing increased competition between a sample of so-called “native crypto” investment funds like Paradigm and Variant Fund. Paradigm recently shut down a $ 2.5 billion crypto fund, the largest of its kind.

Haun currently sits on the boards of Coinbase and OpenSea, among others, where she is expected to retain her board seats. The report states that Andreessen Horowitz will be a major sponsor of his fund with personal investments from Andreessen, Horowitz and Dixon. Haun informed his colleagues of the departure earlier today.

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