Miles Jennings
@milesjennings
Trying to solve more problems than I cause @a16zcrypto
linktr.ee/milesjennings
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Over 4 years at @a16zcrypto, I've found writing to be the best tool for exploring crypto’s complexity—from advising founders to constructing policy.
It’s a discovery engine that demands clarity, consistency and transparency.
Here are 10 posts I learned the most from writing:
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Markets are moving onchain—but developers need clear protections.
Today @a16zcrypto & @fund-defi proposed a safe harbor to exempt crypto apps—DeFi frontends, NFT platforms, and more—from SEC broker rules.
This is critical for tokenized securities to trade onchain.
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1/ Progress on crypto policy continues! The White House just released an excellent report and the SEC launched “Project Crypto”.
The next critical step is feedback on the Senate’s market structure legislation.
We just submitted our recommendations👇
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With the GENIUS Act celebration done, builders already want to know what's next.
The answer is CLARITY – crypto market structure legislation – which also got overwhelming bipartisan support in the House last week.
Here's everything you need to get caught up on CLARITY:
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5 follow ups on ending crypto offshoring:
1️⃣ What about tax?
2️⃣ Aren't Public Benefit Corps and Foundations similar?
3️⃣ Is there a role for foundations going forward?
4️⃣ What about foundation-only models?
5️⃣ Don't DUNAs face the same issues as foundations?
Full article: a16zcrypto.com/posts/articl......
The end of crypto's foundation era is here.
New policy (CLARITY Act), emerging structures (DUNA), and smarter tooling (BORGs) enable better systems — better incentives, accountability, and decentralization.
My new post on why it’s time to move on from foundation structures: https://a16zcrypto.com/post...
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The end of crypto's foundation era is here.
New policy (CLARITY Act), emerging structures (DUNA), and smarter tooling (BORGs) enable better systems — better incentives, accountability, and decentralization.
My new post on why it’s time to move on from foundation structures:
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For the last four years, marketing in crypto has been like putting on a straight jacket and jumping into the deep end of the pool.
Those that survived have advice worth listening to. 👇
Today's web3 with a16z episode is all about marketing — including differences between marketing in crypto and traditional tech.
The conversation shares a candid look at what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to building reputation and community, attracting developers, hiring teams and agencies, launching tokens
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Good explainer on MEV that highlights many of the solutions/mechanisms projects are pursuing to minimize harm.
This innovation demonstrates why we should not rush to regulate MEV and should instead allow the evolutionary process to unfold transparently onchain.
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The SEC’s 2021 token safe harbor proposal introduced control-based decentralization.
Today, we proposed steps to bolster it—enabling progressive decentralization while preventing get-rich-quick schemes.
Key Premise: Expand market access as risks of info asymmetries decline.
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Simply defining tokens based on what they do leads to constantly shifting and recycled narratives.
Defining tokens in terms of both what they do and don't do enables greater clarity.👇
Tokens aren't cryptocurrency.
In this episode of web3 with a16z, @eddy, @skominers, @hackr, @milesjennings, break down what they really are.
Tune in: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/token-guide-types-design-uses/
We move beyond conventional categories — like “governance tokens” or “utility tokens” or even “meme
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The Biden SEC's attack on crypto created perverse incentives that were detrimental to Americans.
For example, it led to them being excluded from airdrops, depriving them of ownership of the internet.
Today, we published a quick explainer of our airdrop safe harbor proposal👇
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Network Tokens (BTC, ETH, SOL) vs. Company-Backed Tokens (FTT):
1️⃣ Is the system open?
2️⃣ Do network effects accrue to the system/token?
3️⃣ Can tokenholders accrue independent value?
If yes, then whether it's a L1, L2, DeFi or gaming token, it's likely a network token:
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NFTs unlock incredible opportunities for creators. But regulatory uncertainty is stifling innovation and the most creative minds online.
Today, we urged the SEC to bring clarity through a new safe harbor and crowdfunding regime—so creators can build without fear of regulators.
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The success of any regulatory approach for network tokens hinges on facilitating progressive decentralization—including via Airdrops and Incentive-Based Rewards.
Current rules are murky and entrepreneurs need clarity.
So, we submitted a safe harbor proposal to the SEC with a 5-part test:
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Today, we submitted our response to the first 6 critical questions of the SEC's recent request for information.
Across 50 pages, we tackle the most significant and complex crypto issues with a simple, powerful principle that fits in a single sentence:
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