Anna Baydakova

Investigative Reporter

Anna writes about blockchain projects and regulation with a special focus on Eastern Europe and Russia. She is especially excited about stories on privacy, cybercrime, sanctions policies and censorship resistance of decentralized technologies.
She graduated from the Saint Petersburg State University and the Higher School of Economics in Russia and got her Master's degree at Columbia Journalism School in New York City.
She joined CoinDesk after years of writing for various Russian media, including the leading political outlet Novaya Gazeta.
Anna owns BTC and an NFT of sentimental value.

Latest from Anna Baydakova

Finance

Telegram CEO Endorses TON Blockchain Spin-Off Toncoin

For the first time since Telegram abandoned TON in 2020, CEO Pavel Durov has backed one of the competing spin-off projects.

Dec 23, 2021

Podcasts

Bitcoin Politics: A Year of Reflection and 2022 Predictions

Dec 23, 2021

Layer 2

Another Ethereum Education Initiative Hampered by Iran Sanctions Fears

Gitcoin’s suspension of a grant for a coding course in Farsi follows a similar move by ConsenSys.

Dec 20, 2021

Podcasts

El Salvador’s Landmark, Elon Musk’s Lowlight, and the Coming Layer 1 Wars

Dec 17, 2021

Policy

Kazakhstan Piloting a CBDC on R3′s Corda Platform

The country’s central bank is expanding the pilot of a digital tenge and will decide if it wants to launch the token by the end of 2022.

Dec 16, 2021

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Kazakhstan fans in the crowd show their support as Sam Groth and Lleyton Hewitt of Australia play Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov of Kazakhstan in the doubles during day two of the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal tie between Australia and Kazakhstan at Marrara Sporting Complex on July 18, 2015 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Policy

Bank of Russia Bars Mutual Funds From Investing in Crypto

In a new directive, the regulator prohibited Russian mutual funds from directly or indirectly investing in crypto assets.

Dec 13, 2021

Layer 2

Chatex Users Ask US Treasury to Release Crypto Frozen by Sanctions

Retail customers were swept up by actions meant to punish a crypto firm accused of money laundering.

Dec 13, 2021

Podcasts

Craig Wright Isn’t Satoshi Nakamoto and Other Facts ‘The Media’ Won’t Tell You

Dec 10, 2021

Layer 2

Most Influential: Katie Haun

The a16z partner’s pedigree and gravitas as a former federal prosecutor will likely become ever-more important in the year ahead as a showdown brews between regulators and industry stakeholders.

Dec 10, 2021

Podcasts

Are NFTs Taking Over the Art Market? Notes From Art Basel Miami Beach

Dec 3, 2021

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