Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen-Horowitz, has raised concerns about the concentration of AI development in the US and China, comparing the rivalry to the Cold War era. In a podcast interview, he emphasized that AI will serve as the primary interface for accessing essential services like healthcare, education, and legal systems. Different regions will likely demand AI models tailored to their cultural and societal norms, further intensifying global competition.
about VC Warns of US-China AI Dominance RaceAndreessen-Horowitz
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Trump’s CFTC Pick Brian Quintenz to Divest Crypto Assets
Brian Quintenz, President Donald Trump’s pick to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has disclosed millions in crypto and market-related investments, pledging to divest if confirmed. According to ethics filings, Quintenz holds assets worth at least $3.4 million, including ties to crypto organizations directly linked to CFTC oversight. A former CFTC commissioner (2017–2021) and current global head of crypto policy at Andreessen Horowitz, Quintenz will step down from his private sector role if approved by the Senate. His nomination underscores the growing intersection between financial regulation and digital assets.
about Trump's CFTC Pick Brian Quintenz to Divest Crypto AssetsTom Brady Backs $18M AI Finance Startup Catena Labs
Catena Labs, a startup building AI-native financial rails using stablecoins, has secured $18M in seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Circle, and Tom Brady. The firm aims to create an AI-driven financial institution enabling autonomous agents to transact safely, leveraging regulated stablecoins like USDC. Brady’s involvement marks his comeback after FTX’s collapse, where he faced legal troubles as a brand ambassador. Catena also launched its Agent Commerce Kit, an open-source tool for AI payment verification. The project targets gaps in traditional finance for AI-native interactions, backed by elite crypto investors and Brady’s high-profile endorsement.
about Tom Brady Backs $18M AI Finance Startup Catena LabsWorldcoin Surges 31% After $135M Funding Boost
Worldcoin (WLD) experienced a 31% price surge after securing $135 million in funding from top-tier VC firms Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto. The investment, structured as a private token sale, will support the project’s aggressive U.S. rollout, including the deployment of 7,500 iris-scanning Orbs to reach 180 million Americans by year-end. Worldcoin, which aims to provide AI-proof human verification, has already issued 12.5 million verified IDs and boasts a global user base of 26 million. Despite its momentum, the project faces privacy scrutiny in Germany, Brazil, and Singapore, while navigating operational challenges in Kenya and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, WLD’s price resilience defied sell pressure from recent token unlocks, rebounding 164% from its April low and outperforming the broader crypto market.
about Worldcoin Surges 31% After $135M Funding BoostWorldcoin Raises $135M for Biometric Expansion
Worldcoin’s nonprofit arm, the World Foundation, has raised $135 million through a direct sale of WLD tokens to early backers Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. The funds will accelerate the deployment of its biometric Orb hardware, particularly in the U.S., and support its growing user base of over 26 million participants. The sale, executed at market price despite WLD’s 90% decline over 14 months, reflects high conviction in Worldcoin’s ‘proof-of-personhood’ vision as a counter to AI advancements. Market observers note the unusual terms, while technical analysis shows WLD rebounding from lows, though long-term bearish trends persist. Regulatory and privacy concerns remain key challenges for Sam Altman’s controversial project.
about Worldcoin Raises $135M for Biometric ExpansionWLD Surges 36% After $135M Token Sale Backed by a16z, Bain
Worldcoin’s WLD token spiked 36% after raising $135 million through a token sale involving prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto. The funds will support the expansion of Worldcoin’s biometric identity system, which relies on iris scans via its Orb devices. Over 12 million retina scans have already been logged, and the company plans to deploy 7,000 more Orbs globally, including in major US cities. Despite privacy concerns and regulatory challenges, Worldcoin is pushing forward with its US launch, making WLD available on Coinbase and offering incentives for new users. However, experts warn that increasing token supply without matching demand could pressure prices in the long run.
about WLD Surges 36% After $135M Token Sale Backed by a16z, BainWorld’s Digital ID Project Raises $135M Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
World, the digital identification initiative led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has raised $135 million from prominent venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. The funding will support the expansion of its iris-scanning orbs and infrastructure in the U.S. and globally, despite increasing regulatory scrutiny and bans in some countries. Over 12.5 million individuals across 160 jurisdictions have already been issued a World ID, highlighting the project’s rapid growth amid legal and privacy concerns.
about World's Digital ID Project Raises $135M Amid Regulatory ScrutinyCatena Labs Raises $18M to Build AI-Native Financial Institution
Catena Labs, founded by Circle co-founder Sean Neville, has raised $18 million in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Crypto to build an AI-native financial institution. The company envisions a fully regulated financial platform designed for AI agents and human collaborators, operated by AI workers with human oversight. This initiative seeks to revolutionize the AI economy by integrating AI-specific risk management and compliance frameworks, positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven financial services.
about Catena Labs Raises $18M to Build AI-Native Financial InstitutionEx-CFTC Commissioner Mersinger Joins Blockchain Association as CEO
Summer Mersinger, a former CFTC commissioner known for her pro-crypto stance, will lead the Blockchain Association starting June 2, leaving most of her second term unfinished. Her appointment arrives during a critical juncture for crypto policy, as Congress debates shifting regulatory authority from the SEC to the more lenient CFTC. While industry leaders applaud her leadership, concerns linger over potential conflicts of interest due to her swift transition from regulator to lobbyist. The Blockchain Association, backed by major firms like Coinbase and Ripple, sees her as pivotal in advancing crypto’s regulatory agenda. Meanwhile, optics around the ‘revolving door’ between government and private sector intensify, with the CFTC also poised to welcome a new chair from Andreessen Horowitz.
about Ex-CFTC Commissioner Mersinger Joins Blockchain Association as CEOJesse Walden: From Music to Web3 Ownership Economy
Jesse Walden’s career evolution—from managing musicians to founding Variant Fund—exemplifies the transformative potential of Web3. After launching Mediachain Labs (acquired by Spotify) and working at Andreessen Horowitz, he identified a gap in crypto investing: a lack of focus on user ownership. Variant Fund now backs projects like Uniswap and Mirror, prioritizing platforms where users hold equity. Walden’s philosophy, rooted in his music industry experience, emphasizes decentralized control and community-driven value creation. His quiet yet impactful approach positions him as a key architect of the ownership economy, proving that non-technical visionaries can shape the future of the internet.
about Jesse Walden: From Music to Web3 Ownership Economy