A16z Crypto Expands Into Asia With New Seoul Office and Regional Lead

Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto-focused venture arm, a16z crypto, is making a major move into Asia by opening a new office in Seoul, signaling its commitment to one of the fastest-growing digital asset markets in the world. The firm announced the expansion in a blog post, highlighting Asia—especially South Korea, Singapore, and Japan—as a critical region for blockchain innovation, strong user adoption, and rising on-chain activity.

According to a16z crypto, South Korea is now the world’s second-largest crypto market, driven by high participation rates and an active developer ecosystem. The firm emphasized that Korea’s strength lies not just in trading volume but in genuine web3 development, making Seoul an ideal hub for supporting the next wave of crypto founders. With nearly one-third of South Korean adults owning cryptocurrency, the region provides a fertile environment for scaling blockchain products, building engaged communities, and establishing strategic partnerships.

To lead its Asian operations, a16z crypto has appointed Sungmo Park as the head of the region. Park previously served as APAC lead at Monad Foundation and held key roles at Polygon Labs, where he drove go-to-market strategies and ecosystem development across major Asian markets including East Asia, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and India. His experience working with both early-stage startups and established enterprises positions him to guide a16z’s expansion and deepen its involvement in Asia’s fast-evolving crypto landscape.

While hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore remain major financial centers, a16z crypto noted that South Korea stands out for actual crypto building, not just regulatory or banking activity. The presence of major exchanges such as Upbit, combined with a resilient base of developers and crypto-native users, reinforces Seoul’s status as a global blockchain innovation center.

With its new office and regional leadership, a16z crypto aims to strengthen partnerships, boost product adoption, and support community growth across Asia as the firm increases its global footprint in the web3 ecosystem.