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

Crypto Firm Bitsonar Had Signs of a ‘Deliberate Fraud’, Ex-Employee Claims in FBI Report

Former Bitsonar employee Yaroslav Shtadchenko has filed an FBI complaint accusing the crypto investment firm of operating like a pyramid scheme.

Yaroslav Shtadchenko was hired by Bitsonar in mid-2018 to consult on marketing and website development. (Yaroslav Shtadchenko)

Policy

Russia's Latest Draft Bill Would Still Largely Ban Crypto, Stifle Miners

Russia's Ministry of Finance wants to ban any cryptocurrency payments, which could be bad news for the country's mining farms.

House of the Government of the Russian Federation (Aksenov Petr/Shutterstock)

Policy

Russia's New Blockchain Voting System Isn't Ready, but It'll Be Used This Month Anyway

The solution will be used for remote voting during by-elections for seats in the national parliament on Sept. 13 in two regions.

russia

Policy

Bitsonar Whistleblower Says Law Enforcement Faked His Murder in Attempt to Protect Him

A whistleblower from defunct crypto firm Bitsonar has reappeared after going missing for three days, saying law enforcement faked his kidnapping and death.

The SSU detains the alleged contract killing buyer. (Screenshot/YouTube)

Policy

Russia's Crypto Mining Farms Would Have to Report to Government Under Proposed Bill

Russian wants all data centers, including mining farms, to report what they do and how they operate. Local experts say that brings risk.

Bitriver mining farm in Bratsk, Russia.

Markets

Whistleblower Kidnapped in Ukraine After Accusing Crypto Firm of Exit Scam

The harrowing incident highlights the proliferation of risky investment schemes and dubious operators in the crypto industry, but also blockchain technology’s potential to help track missing funds.

Image via Getty Images

Policy

Russia Is Blocking Bitcoin-Related Websites Again

Russian internet censorship agency Roskomnadzor has persuaded a court to block various crypto sites including a popular bitcoin OTC data provider.

(Shutterstock)

Policy

Moscow May Sell Footage From Public Security Cameras: Report

Moscow authorities plan to sell and broadcast over the internet video from surveillance cameras, according to a report.

(Shutterstock)

Policy

Russia's New Blockchain Elections Remain Centralized

There will be two blockchain voting pilots for Russia's off-year election next month.

(Slutsky Maksim/Shutterstock)

Finance

Barclays' Former Russian Bank Has Issued a Token-Collateralized Loan

Expobank has issued its first loan using WAVES tokens as collateral – the bank are now estimating what future demand could be.

Moscow at night (Shutterstock)