Chris Dixon: Stablecoins, Startups, and the Crypto Stack

What if crypto isn’t just a speculative asset class—but the next foundational layer of the internet?

In this episode, Chris Dixon, founding partner of a16z crypto and one of the earliest, most forward-thinking investors in the space, joins TBPN for a wide-ranging conversation on the real, long-term promise of crypto—and why we're still early.

He unpacks:

• Why stablecoins are already functioning as internet-native money
• How blockchains can serve as global, programmable financial infrastructure
• Why programmability, not just low fees, is the real unlock
• The evolving regulatory landscape and new bipartisan momentum
• The rise of AI agents, decentralized platforms, and real-world crypto use cases

This episode is about long-term thinking, technical optimism, and building open infrastructure for the future of the internet.

Resources:

Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixon

Watch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/

Timecodes:

00:00 Meet Chris Dixon: Crypto Visionary

00:26 The Evolution of Stable Coins

02:49 The Future of Stable Coins and Global Payments

06:04 Lobbying Efforts and Legislative Impact

09:01 Adoption Across Different Sectors

11:53 Competitive Forces in the Crypto Market

14:37 The Crypto Talent Shortage

15:05 Opportunities in the Crypto Space

17:08 Crypto Fund Performance

19:04 Venture Capital in Crypto

23:30 Real World Assets on Blockchain

26:34 Social Engineering and Proof of Humanity

29:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.