Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto-focused investment arm, a16z crypto, has opened its first Asia-based office in South Korea as part of a larger plan to expand its global footprint and deepen ties with the region’s rapidly growing blockchain ecosystem. The fund said the move reflects both the scale of Asia’s digital-asset adoption and its goal to offer hands-on support for Web3 founders.
A16z picks South Korea as its Asia hub
In a blog post, a16z crypto said the new Seoul office will be led by Sungmo Park, formerly the APAC lead at Monad Foundation and a regional lead for Polygon Labs. Park will spearhead partnerships and community-building efforts while collaborating with early-stage and established ventures.
The firm said South Korea represents the second-largest cryptocurrency market in the world, noting strong crypto ownership rates and deep local developer talent. Almost one-third of South Koreans own digital assets, according to the firm’s figures.
The office will focus on “building partnerships, strengthening distribution channels, and accelerating community growth across the region,” a16z said. The fund described Seoul as the ideal base because innovation there is driven by builders rather than regulatory trends. While Hong Kong and Singapore remain financial hubs, South Korea has emerged as a global center for crypto development.
Expanding support for founders in Asia
The new Seoul office will coordinate closely with a16z crypto’s global investment teams to assist portfolio companies in scaling across Asia. Anthony Albanese, managing partner and chief operating officer of a16z crypto, said the expansion would bring local resources to founders seeking to gain traction in key Asian markets.
“Our expansion will offer go-to-market support for portfolio companies seeking to accelerate growth, forge strategic partnerships, and build lasting communities across Asia,” Albanese said.
He added that Asia represents a major portion of global blockchain activity, with notable concentration in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and India. According to Chainalysis data cited by the firm, 11 of the world’s top 20 markets for crypto adoption are in Asia.
“This is just the beginning,” Albanese said. “Over the coming years, we plan to grow our presence in Asia, add new capabilities to support our crypto companies operating there, and keep exploring new ways to expand our geographic footprint.”
Leadership and strategic priorities
Park, who brings experience from blockchain projects across East Asia, Greater China, and Southeast Asia, said on X that he aims to provide founders with local insight and relationships essential for scaling Web3 initiatives.
I'm honored to share that I will be joining @a16zcrypto as Head of APAC go-to-market.
— sungmo (@sungmo_apac16z) December 10, 2025
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…
The Seoul team will engage with startups working across decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and tokenized infrastructure. The firm also views South Korea’s developer ecosystem as a fertile environment for innovation in onchain applications, blockchain gaming, and AI-integrated financial systems.
Context: Asia’s accelerating crypto presence
The a16z expansion follows heightened crypto activity across Asia. In Japan, onchain transaction activity increased by 120% in the past year. Singapore maintains one of the world’s highest rates of crypto ownership, and India ranks among the top adopters of digital assets worldwide.
The region’s strong market conditions have also driven institutional interest. A Sygnum survey this week found that 87% of Asia’s high-net-worth investors already hold crypto, and 60% plan to expand allocations.
A16z crypto’s decision to open its first Asia office in Seoul underscores the shift in global blockchain development toward Asia’s technology centers. With South Korea home to leading exchanges such as Upbit, a robust developer base, and high consumer engagement, a16z expects to accelerate ecosystem growth through its regional presence.
The firm called South Korea “a place where crypto is being built, not just banked or regulated.” Its goal is to position the Seoul office as a bridge between global capital and local innovation, advancing both Web3 infrastructure and network adoption.
Tanya Petrusenko
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