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


Policy

Bank of Canada Won't Issue Its Own Crypto Unless Libra Succeeds: Deputy Governor

The Bank of Canada does not see the need to create a central bank digital currency unless a competitor – like Libra – starts dethroning the existing fiat.

Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Timothy Lane said the central bank won't issue a central bank digital currency unless a private competitor takes off. (Image via YouTube)

Finance

Russian Smelting Giant Nornickel Launches Metal Tokenization Platform for Testing

The Russian mining and smelting giant will issue metal-backed tokens on Atomyze, a Hyperledger-based blockchain platform.

Norilsk nickel melting shop

Policy

Central Bankers From Canada, Netherlands, Ukraine Call Blockchain Unnecessary for Digital Fiat

Central bank digital currencies have been a hot topic in blockchain circles recently, but central banks are lukewarm about blockchains.

Sveriges Riksbank is trying R3's Corda blockchain just to learn about the tech. "We need to get our hands dirty," explains Björn Segendorf, a senior advisor in the Swedish central bank's payments department. (Photo by Anna Baydakova for CoinDesk)

Policy

TON Developers, Investors Back Telegram in SEC Fight

A new organization composed of TON developers and investors has filed an amicus brief supporting Telegram in its fight against the SEC.

Image via Shutterstock

Policy

Ukraine Won't Regulate Crypto Mining, Government Ministry Says

In a new manifesto, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation has indicated it won't be creating regulations for the crypto mining sector.

Kiev, Ukraine. Credit: Shutterstock

Policy

CFTC Asked to Provide Opinion in SEC Case Against Telegram ICO

A U.S. judge has asked lawyers from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide an opinion in the case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Telegram's $1.7 billion token sale.

CFTC

Markets

Telegram Drops Technical White Paper for Blockchain SEC Is Trying to Halt

Telegram has revealed more details about its TON blockchain's block validation process, even as it fights the SEC in court over its $1.7 billion token sale.

Telegram mobile app

Markets

Coronavirus Controls in China Are Delaying Crypto Miner Deliveries, Firms Say

MicroBT and Canaan have notified customers they would be delaying ASIC deliveries due to the Chinese government's quarantine of Wuhan following the coronavirus outbreak.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Markets

Ukraine Plans to Track Suspicious Crypto Transactions Above $1,200

Ukraine’s financial watchdog will track crypto transactions exceeding $1,200, according to the head of its Ministry of Finance.

money, ukraine

Policy

Court Documents Reveal More Possible Investors in Telegram’s $1.7B ICO

Big names that may have invested in Telegram’s token sale are surfacing in court documents as the company fights a case brought by the SEC.

Credit: Shutterstock