Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has proposed new guidelines for cryptocurrency custody by Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in a response to the SEC, as reported by Decrypt. These guidelines aim to address the evolving landscape of digital asset management. a16z suggests four key principles: 1) Custodial eligibility should not solely hinge on legal status, allowing innovative crypto-native custodians to participate. 2) Robust security safeguards are paramount for protecting crypto assets. 3) RIAs must retain the ability to exercise economic (e.g., staking) and governance (e.g., voting) rights. 4) Self-custody should be a permitted option for RIAs under specific, well-defined conditions. These proposals reflect a desire to balance investor protection with fostering innovation within the crypto space, potentially shaping the future regulatory framework for RIAs handling digital assets. The SEC's consideration of these guidelines could have significant implications for the growth and adoption of cryptocurrency investment strategies. ```