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Smith + Crown
Smith + Crown was established in 2013 as a research and design firm focused on cryptoeconomic systems — the study and application of blockchain-based...
Smith + Crown
Smith + Crown was established in 2013 as a research and design firm focused on cryptoeconomic systems — the study and application of blockchain-based governance, digital assets, and mechanism design. The firm's founding mission is to expand the frontier of cryptoeconomics through both independent research and client collaboration, working with leading organizations on token design and protocol structuring. The firm engages in selective eight-week engagements to design asset and governance structures for client projects, with confirmed work including NEAR and Switchboard Protocol (per the firm, 2025). Smith + Crown covers sectors spanning digital assets, decentralized finance, and governance infrastructure, with geographic reach extending across North America and global blockchain ecosystems. The firm positions itself at the intersection of research and applied design, rather than as a traditional investment manager. Smith + Crown maintains a small team structure focused on research and advisory, with no disclosed AUM or deployment figures. The firm operates from offices in Keizer, San Mateo, and Mountain View, California, though specific team size and principal names are not publicly listed. No philanthropic or adjacent vehicles have been publicly disclosed. The firm's structural differentiator is its explicit focus on cryptoeconomics as a design discipline, working with clients on the architecture of token systems rather than taking principal investment positions. This research-first posture, maintained for nearly a decade, distinguishes Smith + Crown from both traditional family offices and venture capital firms active in the digital asset space.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Keizer
Corporate office
Keizer, San Mateo, Mountain View, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What is Smith + Crown’s core business model?
Smith + Crown describes itself as a research and design firm dedicated to cryptoeconomic systems, digital assets, and governance structures. It works with select organizations over eight-week processes to design asset models, governance mechanisms, and protocol systems (per the firm, 2025). The firm does not appear to operate as a traditional investment manager or family office.
Does Smith + Crown manage capital or take principal positions?
Smith + Crown publicly presents itself as a research and advisory organization, not as an investment fund. No AUM, deployment figures, or principal investment holdings have been disclosed. The firm's stated focus is on the study and design of cryptoeconomic systems rather than capital deployment (per the firm, 2025).
Who founded Smith + Crown?
Smith + Crown was founded in 2013, but the names of its founders or principals are not publicly listed on its website. No individual operators or leadership names are disclosed in available sources (Altss research).
What types of clients does Smith + Crown work with?
The firm states it works with leading organizations from around the world on practical applications of cryptoeconomic research. Confirmed client engagements include NEAR and Switchboard Protocol (per the firm, 2025). The engagement model involves eight-week design periods for token structures and governance mechanisms.
Where is Smith + Crown headquartered?
Smith + Crown lists offices in Keizer, San Mateo, and Mountain View, California, United States (per the firm, 2025). The firm operates primarily in North America, with global reach through its blockchain-focused client work.
What investment stages or asset classes does Smith + Crown cover?
Smith + Crown focuses exclusively on digital assets and cryptoeconomic systems, including token design, governance protocols, and decentralized infrastructure. It does not publicly specify target investment stages or traditional asset classes, as it operates as a research and design firm rather than an allocator (per the firm, 2025).
How does Smith + Crown source its deal flow?
The firm does not publicly detail its sourcing model. Given its research-first posture and selective eight-week engagement structure, client relationships likely flow from its nearly decade-long frontier research reputation and published work on cryptoeconomics (Altss estimate).
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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