Balaji Srinivasan Launches Private Island Crypto School

Former Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) partner Balaji Srinivasan is launching a 90-day “Network School” on a private island near Singapore starting late September to teach crypto, longevity, and technocapitalism.

A Technocapitalist Haven Near Singapore

The initiative represents the latest physical manifestation of Silicon Valley’s growing interest in sovereign communities. Srinivasan, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space, booked the island to serve as the headquarters for his educational experiment, as he put it in his post detailing the launch.

The Vision of the Network State

This educational hub serves as a practical testing ground for Srinivasan’s broader ideological concept: the “network state.” He defines a network state as an online community that eventually coalesces to acquire physical land and ultimately gains diplomatic recognition from pre-existing states, according to his writings.

The Intellectual Foundations

This concept has deeply resonated with the libertarian-leaning sectors of Silicon Valley. Srinivasan earned praise for his ideas from prominent figures, including a16z co-founder Marc Andreessen and Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin, sparking a wave of similar initiatives among crypto advocates.

Beyond his tenure at a16z, which concluded in 2018, Srinivasan’s footprint in the industry is extensive. He served as the Chief Technology Officer at Coinbase following the acquisition of his startup, Earn.com, in 2018. Additionally, he sits on the board of the lobbying organization Coin Center, a cryptocurrency advocacy group known for fighting to protect anonymity for crypto holders from the IRS.

Inside the 90-Day Curriculum: Crypto and Longevity

Scheduled to begin in late September, the three-month program will offer a mix of theoretical and practical instruction. Lectures will cover modern topics such as digital nomadism, while the daily menu will be curated by Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur famous for spending millions annually on an extreme regimen aimed at “de-aging” himself.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate?

The program is highly selective and tailored for a specific worldview. Srinivasan emphasized that the curriculum is designed for individuals who believe that Bitcoin will eventually succeed the Federal Reserve, that artificial intelligence is capable of delivering superior legal opinions compared to traditional courts, and that modern democracy can be revitalized through cryptography.

The Rise of Sovereign Internet Communities

Srinivasan is not alone in trying to build physical communities around digital ideologies. Last spring, Vitalik Buterin established Zuzalu, a Srinivasan-inspired pop-up city in Montenegro. The event attracted high-profile attendees, including musician Grimes and Patri Friedman, an entrepreneur who got millions from Peter Thiel to investigate seasteading—the creation of autonomous societies on the open ocean. Over two months, Zuzalu participants tracked their glucose levels, took daily cold plunges in the Adriatic Sea, and attended seminars on topics ranging from zero-knowledge cryptography to the economics of sex work.

Seeking Political Recognition

While Srinivasan has not yet detailed how he plans to establish a permanent footprint on the Singapore-adjacent island, the ultimate objective for network states usually involves securing legal recognition. This can range from full sovereignty to establishing special economic zones. For instance, Zuzalu organizers engaged in discussions with Montenegrin officials to explore “creating a similar long-term home for pro-longevity devotees,” according to the MIT Technology Review. Similarly, Prospera, another network state initiative backed by Friedman, successfully negotiated with the Honduran government to create an economic zone featuring low taxes and deregulated business environments.

Applying to the Network School

Applications for the inaugural cohort of the Network School are currently open. However, Srinivasan makes it clear that defenders of the status quo should look elsewhere. “The more respect you have for legacy institutions, and the more respect they have for you, the less suitable you’ll be as an applicant,” he wrote.