Algebraic K-theory and abstract homotopy theory

We decompose the K-theory space of a Waldhausen category in terms of its Dwyer–Kan simplicial localization. This leads to a criterion for functors to induce equivalences of K-theory spectra that generalizes and explains many of the criteria appearing in the literature. We show that under mild hypotheses, a weakly exact functor that induces an equivalence of homotopy categories induces an equivalence of K-theory spectra.