The a16z Show

Snapshot · The a16z Show

Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon: What’s at Stake in Crypto Regulation

Explore episode Aug 1, 2026

Where this was said

The Elizabeth Warren Objection: Does Crypto Enable Terrorism?

At 19:59 · chapter starts 18:50

One of the bill's most vocal opponents is Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has called it a ticket to sanctions evasion and warned that North Korea, terrorists, and ransomware hackers will run wild if it passes. Chris Dixon dismantles this with an argument from first principles: gray areas in regulation create a race to the bottom. Coinbase spends enormous resources on compliance; its offshore doppelgangers don't, and they gain market share accordingly. Every year, a new non-compliant offshore competitor emerges with lower fees and faster product iteration precisely because it's skipping compliance. Clear regulation with a well-defined regulatory perimeter — you're either subject to the rules or you can't do business in the U.S. — flips this dynamic. Dixon also notes the bill's critics seem not to have read it: it applies the same AML and treasury rules to crypto intermediaries that apply in all other financial markets. The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest law enforcement organization in the country, has endorsed the bill — a significant tell for anyone genuinely concerned about law enforcement.

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