a16z Pushes for Easier Rules on DeFi Platforms
Andreessen Horowitz—or a16z, as most people call it—has been nudging regulators for years to go easier on crypto. This week, they’re at it again, this time with a formal petition to the SEC. The ask? To keep certain DeFi apps and websites from getting tangled up in old-school securities laws.
The proposal, filed alongside the DeFi Education Fund, argues that not all DeFi platforms should have to register as broker-dealers. Some just don’t fit, they say. The filing points out that forcing every app into the same regulatory box might not make sense, especially when many don’t even handle assets the way traditional brokers do.
It’s not the first time a16z has tried this. Back in March, they sent the SEC a detailed letter asking for similar carve-outs—first for network tokens and airdrops, then later for NFTs. Clearly, they’re not giving up.
Why Now?
Timing might have something to do with it. The White House has been warming up to DeFi lately, and even SEC Chair Paul Atkins has hinted at lighter oversight for parts of the crypto world. A recent Trump-era report on crypto actually suggested easing up on some DeFi rules, calling registration requirements “unwarranted” in certain cases.
Atkins has also promised faster action, even without Congress stepping in. He’s launched something called “Project Crypto” to speed things along—though nobody’s quite sure yet what that means.
Meanwhile, a16z isn’t just talking. They’ve put money behind DeFi projects like Uniswap and Maker, so they’ve got skin in the game. If regulations loosen up, it could mean smoother sailing for those investments.
What Happens Next?
The SEC hasn’t responded yet, and honestly, they might not for a while. These things move slowly. But the push from a16z—and the quieter signals from D.C.—suggest the pressure’s building.
Will it work? Hard to say. Regulators tend to drag their feet on crypto, and not everyone in government’s convinced DeFi should get a pass. But with big players like a16z keeping at it, the conversation isn’t going away anytime soon.
For now, all anyone can do is wait. And maybe keep an eye on what “Project Crypto” turns out to be.
