a16z crypto, the digital asset arm of Andreessen Horowitz, has officially expanded into Asia with the launch of its first regional office in Seoul, South Korea.
The firm has appointed Sungmo Park as Head of APAC Go-to-Market, leading operations for the new hub. Park brings years of experience from Monad Foundation, Polygon Labs, and Naver.
Asia Becomes a Global Crypto Power Center
COO Anthony Albanese announced the expansion, noting Asia’s rapidly rising influence in global crypto adoption.
According to Chainalysis:
Asia-Pacific processed $2.36 trillion in on-chain value from June 2024 to June 2025
Up 69% from $1.4 trillion the year before
South Korea is the second-largest crypto market globally, with ~33% adult ownership
Japan’s on-chain activity surged 120% in the past year
Singapore has one of the highest ownership rates, with 40% of Gen Z & Millennials invested in crypto
India ranks #1 in global crypto adoption
11 of the top 20 countries in the Chainalysis Index are in Asia
With this growth, competition for deals, talent, and ecosystem expansion has intensified. Gaming, social apps, and mobile-first blockchain products remain standout sectors across the region.
How the Seoul Office Strengthens a16z’s Strategy
The new Korea office will:
Support a16z portfolio companies entering Asian markets
Build strategic partnerships across APAC
Strengthen founder networks and local communities
Accelerate crypto adoption through regional collaboration
“This is just the beginning,” Albanese said. “We plan to deepen our presence, add new capabilities, and continue expanding our geographic footprint across Asia.”
From Naver to a16z — Park’s Web3 Career Path
Born in 1993, Park’s professional journey spans both Web2 and Web3:
Began career at Nomura (2016)
Held roles at IGA Works, ST Unitas, and Naver as Product Manager
Entered Web3 in 2021, co-founding OnePlanet, a Polygon-based NFT marketplace backed by Animoca Brands and Hashed
Joined Polygon Labs (2022), advancing from Korea Business Lead to APAC Head of BD
Served as APAC Lead at Monad Foundation, helping build a high-performance Layer-1 capable of 10,000 TPS
Now, Park will steer a16z crypto’s expansion across Asia, le
veraging deep regional experience and technical insight.
