Leigh Cuen

Leigh Cuen is a tech reporter covering blockchain technology for publications such as Newsweek Japan, International Business Times and Racked. Her work has also been published by Teen Vogue, Al Jazeera English, The Jerusalem Post, Mic, and Salon. Leigh does not hold value in any digital currency projects or startups. Her small cryptocurrency holdings are worth less than a pair of leather boots.

Leigh Cuen

Latest from Leigh Cuen


Finance

Plasma Became Optimism and It Might Just Save Ethereum

The Plasma Group reformed as Optimism and is working to make ethereum's calling card, smart contracts, work above the base layer.

Optimism co-founder Jinglan Wang

Markets

Why Cypherpunk Witches Love Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency lets modern-day witches transact beyond the grasp of restrictive e-commerce platforms.

RITUAL OBJECTS: Censorship-resistant money lets KVLT Kreations sell its wares. (Courtesy photo)

Finance

Lightning Labs Raises $10M Series A to Be the 'Visa' of Bitcoin

Lightning Labs has raised $10 million in Series A financing as it gears up to launch its first paid service for merchants accepting bitcoin payments.

Elizabeth Stark speaks at the 2019 Blockstack Summit in San Francisco. (Credit: Gary Sexton / Blockstack Summit)

Markets

LISTEN: What Sex Workers Want From Crypto

SpankChain's Allie Eve Knox talks to CoinDesk's Leigh Cuen about what sex workers want from crypto.

Photo by Lloyd Dirks on Unsplash

Finance

Bitcoin Usage Among Merchants Is Up, According to Data From Coinbase and BitPay

Although bitcoin adoption may move at a glacial pace, merchants are seeing sustained traction regardless of market dips.

BTC ACCEPTED HERE: Lola Luna lingerie saw a steady stream of bitcoin payments in 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Finance

Why Lightning Payments Aren't Clicking for Porn Companies (Just Yet)

Bitcoin may finally achieve broader traction through the adult entertainment industry in 2020, but the chips aren’t stacked in its favor.

Credit: Shutterstock

Policy

Notes From the WEF: Oil-Producing Nations Want Dollar Alternatives, Just Not Bitcoin

Middle Eastern elites at the World Economic Forum are highly skeptical of bitcoin, but there are whispers about its potential for cross-border settlements in the energy sector.

SOVEREIGNTY: At Davos, Iraqi President Barham Salih said it is his nation's right to have relations with its neighbors on its own terms. (Photo by Leigh Cuen for CoinDesk)

Policy

Notes From the WEF: Cash Is Dead, Long Live Digital Cash

Consensus is building on one issue at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland: Cash is dead.

COMPLIANCE NOW: RegTech expert Diana Paredes speaks at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. (Photo by Leigh Cuen for CoinDesk)

Policy

Notes From the WEF: The Coming Battle Between Surveilled and Private Money

Most Davos experts appear to agree that blockchain technology is best for data collection rather than self-sovereign finance.

Blockchain thinker Glen Weyl (center, gray blazer) speaks with other attendees of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. (Photo by Leigh Cuen for CoinDesk)

Finance

Swiss Banks Enter the Age of Bitcoin

An emerging trend in wealth-stashing Switzerland: crypto-friendly banks.

Credit: Shutterstock