# 3 mental models for crypto infrastructure

> Infrastructure underlies everything in web3, yet is highly controversial. Ali Yahya (general partner, a16z crypto) describes 3 mental models to help you think about web3 infrastructure: the narrow waist, the modularity advantage, and the network flywheel. More from: Crypto Startup School ‘23 Crypto ...

- URL: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/videos/3-mental-models-for-crypto-infrastructure
- Authors: [Ali Yahya](https://a16zcrypto.com/team/ali-yahya)
- Published: 2023-05-19
- Updated: 2025-01-29
- Focus areas: company building
- Tags: mental models & frameworks, CSX 2023, choosing infrastructure, video
- Format: videos

---

Infrastructure underlies everything in web3, yet is highly controversial. Ali Yahya (general partner, a16z crypto) describes 3 mental models to help you think about web3 infrastructure: the narrow waist, the modularity advantage, and the network flywheel.

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/rktu6HUW6lA?feature=oembed)

**More from:** 

-   [Crypto Startup School ‘23](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjQ9HCQMu_8ywq3VUso7i_-TOx6RKXQeQ)
-   [Crypto Startup School ‘20](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjQ9HCQMu_8wCvA0s9yW2dXg1jkFlPs7Z)
-   Ali: [https://twitter.com/alive\_eth](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbENNN2cweTF2MkNmOERZS0FmTEE0LTFZdEl6d3xBQ3Jtc0tsS2ZzUTZzRGdaZmdnTmZXbGlGSEg0Z2lTelpJMk9UdVRhVXdvbjEtQnZpSnQ3alg3VGNLQXI0T2Uxa1VZVDdzRkExMGROY216aGFIdDZZVEdEYnVOc3dhNTlBMzUtZW9EbldLdGRSUzU5eU1vdHViQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Falive_eth&v=rktu6HUW6lA)

---

Source: [3 mental models for crypto infrastructure](https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/videos/3-mental-models-for-crypto-infrastructure) — a16z crypto. Full archive: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts