Share this article

Most Influential 2021: Arianna Simpson

The a16z general partner is investing in the future of the internet, Web 3.

Updated May 11, 2023, 6:26 p.m. Published Dec 8, 2021, 5:31 p.m.
(Adam B. Levine/Pixelmind.ai)
jwp-player-placeholder

Arianna Simpson’s trip to Zimbabwe in 2013 changed her life. But it was the experience of using Western Union, and the platform’s extortionary fees, to send money to the family she sponsored that changed her mind on crypto. Now a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), she helps to manage the massively influential venture capital firm’s $2.2 billion crypto fund. Simpson previously spent time at Facebook and BitGo. She’s also run her own investment funds, Autonomous Partners, which focused on digital assets, and Crystal Towers Capital, which worked with early-stage startups.

The Complete List: CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2021

(Kevin Ross/CoinDesk)
(Kevin Ross/CoinDesk)

More For You

State of the Blockchain 2025

State of the Blockchain 16:9

L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.

What to know:

2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.

This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.

More For You

Grayscale files for first U.S. Bittensor ETP as decentralized AI gains momentum

Grayscale on a screen (modified by CoinDesk)

The filing marks the first attempt to bring TAO, Bittensor’s native token, to U.S. markets through a regulated investment product.

What to know:

  • Grayscale has filed an initial S-1 registration with the SEC for the first U.S.-listed ETP offering exposure to Bittensor's TAO token.
  • The proposed Grayscale Bittensor Trust will be trading under the ticker GTAO, and aims to provide regulated access to decentralized AI tokens.
  • The filing highlights the rapid evolution of decentralized AI and growing institutional interest in AI-related crypto assets.