Anna Baydakova

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.

Anna Baydakova

Latest from Anna Baydakova


Markets

Meet the 19-Year-Old Ukrainian Lawmaker With Millions in Monero

A 19-year-old Rostislav Solod is a Ukrainian politician and a monero whale dreaming of launching his own token

Rostislav Solod, local politician in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Policy

Putin Orders Russia's Public Officials to Report Crypto Holdings

Russian civil servants must start reporting their crypto assets as the country's first crypto law comes into force in January.

Vladimir Putin

Markets

Ukrainian Politician Discloses Owning $24M in Privacy Coin Monero

The city council member in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, bought 185,000 XMR in 2015 when the cryptocurrency's price was well below $1.

Square in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Markets

Bitcoin Dissidents: Those Who Need It Most

The global pandemic and interwoven political and economic crises became fertile ground for Bitcoin to become a tool for human rights.

XCOPY

Markets

BTC-e Operator Vinnik Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Money Laundering Charges

Alexander Vinnik, an alleged BTC-e operator, was found guilty of money laundering in France and sentenced to five years in prison.

Alexander Vinnik

Markets

Russia's Crypto Community Fears Digital Ruble Plan Means 'Back to USSR'

A Russian cryptocurrency and blockchain association warns the Bank of Russia against centralizing the digital ruble.

Bank of Russia

Finance

Ripple CEO Walks Back Threat to Leave US

Prolonged but fruitless efforts to get regulators on the firm’s side seem to have exhausted Ripple’s patience as it eyes a potential IPO and fights a lawsuit.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse speaks at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2018.

Markets

1inch Raises $12M to Keep Up With DeFi's Growing Crop of DEX Aggregators

Decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch has closed a $12 million funding round led by Pantera Capital.

Left to right: 1inch co-founder Anton Bukov, co-founder Sergej Kunz and smart contract developer Mikhail Melnik.

Markets

Ukraine's Draft Crypto Bill Passes First Parliamentary Hearing

Ukraine's parliament has approved the first version of a draft cryptocurrency bill, bringing regulation of the industry a step closer.

Verkhovna Rada building in Kyiv, Ukraine

Policy

Ruble or Rubble? Russian Institutions Have Concerns About Proposed CBDC

Russian banks and financial brokers are worried the digital ruble will be a burden for them.

Russian Central Bank Chairman Elvira Nabiullina