Andreessen Horowitz is closing its London office in order to concentrate on the US crypto market following Donald Trump’s election victory.
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has opted to close its London office in order to focus on the US crypto market, thereby withdrawing from its highly publicized UK expansion program.
Donald Trump’s administration’s regulatory initiatives that prioritize cryptocurrency are the primary factor that influenced the organization’s decision.
In 2023, the venture capital firm established its inaugural office outside of the United States, thereby entering the UK market. The previous administration’s severe regulatory pressures and crackdowns on cryptocurrency were the driving force behind this decision.
However, the organization has informed local entrepreneurs and policymakers that it will no longer allocate substantial resources to the region. The London office is in the process of being entirely closed.
Initially appointed to oversee the UK initiative, Sriram Krishnan departed from his position in London last year and has since joined the Trump administration.
Additionally, the architects of the company, Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, have endorsed Trump and are providing guidance on technology policy.
“We have elected to concentrate on the United States due to the new administration’s robust policy momentum and will, as a result, be terminating our UK office. This does not diminish our assurance regarding the United Kingdom’s expanding involvement in blockchain and cryptocurrency.” Anthony Albanese, COO of a16z Crypto, stated, “We will persist in our investment in exceptional enterprises, regardless of their location in the globe, including the United Kingdom.”
Following the signing of his inaugural executive order regarding cryptocurrency yesterday, President Trump has made the decision. This order established a new Working Group for the digital assets market. In addition, the working group will evaluate the potential for the establishment of a national digital asset reserve.
Simultaneously, the SEC has revoked its contentious SAB 121 policy, which has simplified the process of Bitcoin custody for banks.
The significant pro-crypto movements that occurred during the administration’s initial week appear to have served as a catalyst for a16z’s decision to concentrate on the United States.
In the past two years, Andreessen Horowitz’s London office has garnered substantial attention. The firm, which at the time was responsible for administering $43 billion in committed capital, prioritized its investments in UK crypto companies, including Improbable, Aztec, and Arweave.
“As the United States resumes its business-friendly policies, other nations must exert greater effort to preserve its business appeal.” “Binance founder CZ wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that a16z has canceled its crypto plans in the United Kingdom in order to concentrate on opportunities in the United States during the Trump administration.”
The organization continues to play a significant role in the development of crypto policies in the United States. a16z crypto allocated $23 million to Fairshake PACs in November to bolster bipartisan initiatives for crypto regulation in anticipation of the 2026 midterm elections.
a16z announced $7.2 billion in funding for technology investments, including infrastructure and entertainment, in April 2024. The establishment of a Games Fund underscores the organization’s increasing emphasis on the gaming sector.