Equity

Ethereal

Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) crypto division announced its fifth and one of the largest dedicated crypto funds raised this year, with a $2.2 billion venture fund.&nbsp;
The raise is the latest item on a growing list of institutional capital that has flowed into blockchain startups, even during a period that is generally regarded as a relatively subdued market.
As Cryptopolitan <a href="https://www.cryptopolitan.com/april-2026-crypto-fundraising-report/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">reported</a>, the $662.4 million raised across 64 rounds in April 2026 was the lowest over a one-month period in the last 12 months.&nbsp;
<h3 id="span-a16z-practical-applications-are-the-way-forward-span">a16z: Practical applications are the way forward&nbsp;</h3>
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has <a href="https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/fund-5" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">raised $2.2 billion</a> for its fifth crypto fund, one of the largest venture capital raises of the year, led by a16z crypto founder Chris Dixon alongside general partners Ali Yahya, Guy Wuollet, and Eddy Lazzarin. The team plans to invest in startups building practical applications on existing crypto infrastructure over the next decade.&nbsp;
The new fund is smaller than the firm’s previous $4.5 billion crypto fund raised in 2022. However, it remains significantly larger than recent raises by competitors like Haun Ventures, which raised $1 billion, and Dragonfly Capital, which raised $650 million.
The a16z fund is framed around the belief that crypto’s real value accrues between speculative peaks, when developers convert raw infrastructure into usable products. The firm used stablecoins as an example, stating that stablecoin usage has continued growing even through market downturns, driven by cross-border payments and savings.
<a href="https://www.cryptopolitan.com/a16z-drop-stablecoins-digital-dollars-euros/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">a16z</a> argued that traditional assets are increasingly migrating to blockchain rails, highlighting the growth in perpetual futures, prediction markets, and on-chain lending since the last cycle. The firm’s confidence in the industry is also due to regulatory progress, for example, the GENIUS Act stablecoin bill that is currently working through Congress.&nbsp;
Another market participant, Ethereal Ventures, co-founded by Ethereum co-creator Joe Lubin, <a href="https://fortune.com/2026/05/04/ethereal-ventures-min-teo-interview-eigenlayer-dpi-rate-funds-early-stage-startups/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">revealed</a> it manages just under $150 million across two funds. The firm has backed over 80 early-stage startups, including Eigen Layer, which reached a $1.05 billion valuation after a Series B round led by a16z.&nbsp;
Jito, the Solana infrastructure firm that received a16z backing last year, <a href="https://fortune.com/2026/05/05/solana-jito-consumer-trading-app-50-million/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">announced plans</a> to launch a consumer trading app called JTX in July. The company’s CEO Lucas Bruder revealed that it has “well north of $100 million” in cash and does not want to wait for others to build consumer experiences on top of its infrastructure.
<h3 id="span-traditional-finance-companies-are-moving-into-digital-assets-span">Traditional finance companies are moving into digital assets</h3>
Traditional finance companies are also moving to integrate digital assets into their operations to satisfy customer needs.
SIX (Swiss Stock Exchange Operator) received <a href="https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2026/05/277341-swiss-stock-exchange-six-secures-regulatory-clearance-from-finma-for-structural-change-including-crypto-services/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">regulatory approval</a> from FINMA to merge its digital securities depository into its main custody unit, allowing it to offer cryptocurrency custody services through the same regulated entity used for stocks and bonds.&nbsp;
Head of Securities Services at SIX, Rafael Moral Santiago, said the company aims to provide financial institutions with “unified, secure and regulated” access to digital assets.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Securitize, in partnership with Cantor Equity Partners II (NASDAQ: CEPT) has <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/securitize-jump-trading-group-and-jupiter-launch-fully-onchain-regulated-trading-for-tokenized-equities-302762248.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">launched</a> fully on-chain, regulated trading of tokenized equities. In collaboration with Jump Trading and Jupiter, Securitize is using the Solana blockchain to allow trading of real stocks under existing securities laws. 
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Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has launched its fifth crypto fund, raising $2.2 billion

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