Andreessen Horowitz-Backed Entropy Announces Shutdown

TheNewsCryptoОпубліковано о 2026-01-26Востаннє оновлено о 2026-01-26

Анотація

Decentralized crypto custody startup Entropy, backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is shutting down and returning remaining capital to investors, according to founder and CEO Tux Pacific. After four years, multiple pivots, and two rounds of layoffs, Pacific announced the decision on January 25. The company had recently shifted to a crypto automation platform but failed to meet venture-scale growth expectations. Entropy raised $25 million in a 2022 seed round led by a16z crypto, with participation from Dragonfly Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and others. Initially offering a decentralized alternative to custody providers like Fireblocks, the startup ultimately could not achieve sustainable growth. Pacific expressed gratitude to investors and indicated a personal shift away from crypto towards pharmaceuticals.

A decentralised crypto custody startup supported by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Entropy is terminating and plans to return the rest of the capital to investors, as per the founder and CEO Tux Pacific.

Pacific publicised through writing on X on January 25 that, “I am winding up Entropy, and after four years, various pivots and two rounds of layoffs, I have decided to terminate Entropy and return capital to the investors.”

The termination is followed by a late-stage push last year to reposition the firm around a crypto automation platform, which Pacific referred to as “basically n8n/Zapier/etc. for crypto”, having automated signing through threshold cryptography, safe computation leveraging trusted execution environments, and deep AI amalgamations.

That product direction was still not able to clear a venture-style growth bar. After the first feedback request disclosed that the business model was not venture scale, Pacific said that he was left with the choice to navigate a creative way forward or pivot once more.

The Heartful Gratitude

Entropy first captivated attention in 2022 when it generated $25 million in a seed round headed by a16z crypto, and the participants were Dragonfly Capital, Coinbase Ventures, Robot Ventures, Ethereal Ventures, Variant and Inflection. Before this, the company had so far accumulated $1.95 million in a pre-seed round.

At rollout, Entropy pitched itself as a decentralised alternative to custody providers like Fireblocks and Coinbase, depending on cryptographic approaches such as multi-party computation to allow users to control how funds move, comprising rule-based constraints.

Pacific also showed gratitude towards a16z crypto and Guy Wuollet for aiding in steering the wind-down and called their guidance “invaluable”. Pacific has also mentioned that they plan to step back before deciding what comes after Entropy.

He added that my time in crypto might be coming to a conclusion, as I feel myself drawn mainly into pharmaceuticals, and they want to work on hormone delivery and validate research on new oestradiol drug formulations.

Highlighted Crypto News Today:

Las Vegas Businesses Use Bitcoin as a Mainstream Payment to Avoid High Credit Card Fees

TagsAndreessen HorowitzCryptoEntropy

Пов'язані питання

QWhat is Entropy and why is it shutting down?

AEntropy is a decentralized crypto custody startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). It is shutting down because, after four years, multiple pivots, and two rounds of layoffs, its founder and CEO Tux Pacific decided to terminate the company as its latest product direction failed to meet venture-scale growth expectations.

QWho were the major investors in Entropy's seed funding round?

AEntropy's $25 million seed round in 2022 was led by a16z crypto, with participation from Dragonfly Capital, Coinbase Ventures, Robot Ventures, Ethereal Ventures, Variant, and Inflection.

QWhat was Entropy's final product pivot before shutting down?

AEntropy's final pivot was to reposition itself as a crypto automation platform, described by its CEO as 'basically n8n/Zapier/etc. for crypto', which featured automated signing through threshold cryptography, safe computation using trusted execution environments, and deep AI integrations.

QWhat did Entropy's founder, Tux Pacific, announce about his future plans?

ATux Pacific announced that he plans to step back before deciding his next move and expressed that his time in crypto might be concluding. He stated he is drawn to the pharmaceutical industry and wants to work on hormone delivery and validate research on new oestradiol drug formulations.

QHow did Entropy initially position itself in the market at its launch?

AAt its launch, Entropy positioned itself as a decentralized alternative to custody providers like Fireblocks and Coinbase, relying on cryptographic approaches such as multi-party computation to give users control over fund movements with rule-based constraints.

Пов'язані матеріали

Bitcoin Boom in Full Swing: Saylor's Latest Statement Fuels Buying Speculation

MicroStrategy's Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has fueled speculation about a new Bitcoin purchase by posting "Bitcoin Drive engaged" on August 2, accompanied by the company's customary purchase tracker. This aligns with his pattern of hinting at treasury changes ahead of weekly reports. The accompanying report showed MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings at 843,775 BTC, with an average cost of $75,653 per coin and an unrealized loss of -$10.58B. A similar signal preceded the company's July 27 announcement, strengthening expectations for a treasury update on Monday. However, MicroStrategy's real-time ledger reflects two recent Bitcoin sales totaling 3,588 BTC, reducing holdings from 847,363 BTC to the current 843,775 BTC. The company stated these sales funded preferred stock dividends and replenished its U.S. dollar reserve. Recent reports indicate the company made no Bitcoin purchases the week ending July 26 while increasing its dollar reserve to approximately $3.75B. The company faces financial headwinds after reporting an $8.33B operating loss for Q2 2026, including an $8.32B unrealized loss on its digital assets. Management may sell up to $1.25B more in Bitcoin to meet cash obligations. The expected Monday update will reveal if the "Bitcoin Drive" signal marks a return to accumulation as MicroStrategy balances its massive Bitcoin stash against growing cash commitments.

cryptonews.ru1 год тому

Bitcoin Boom in Full Swing: Saylor's Latest Statement Fuels Buying Speculation

cryptonews.ru1 год тому

Торгівля

Спот
活动图片