The DeFi Developer Who Weaponized Pseudonymity

“Opinionated” host Danny Nelson explains how he uncovered the coder who weaponized pseudonymity to prop up a DeFi ecosystem.

Listen or watch all the new CoinDesk podcast episodes wherever you want.

ABOUT

“If DeFi (decentralized finance) is going to work without being subject to the rules of the old systems, then there has to be some sort of accountability. Even in systems where there’s anonymity,” Danny Nelson says.

Nelson breaks down his recent investigative story, “Master of Anons: How a Crypto Developer Faked a DeFi Ecosystem,” with “Opinionated” Ben Schiller and Anna Baydakova. Nelson’s investigative piece uncovered how one Solana ecosystem was largely faked by a pair of brothers and their “anon army,” or their 11 faked anonymous identities. What does this cautionary tale say about allowing the right to pseudonymity, a right deeply ingrained in crypto culture?

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk is the place to see your idea for the next big thing through – meet with leading investors, vet service providers and meet fellow visionaries. Learn more and apply to become a presenter today: coindesk.com/ideas

This show is produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl with additional production support and announcements by Michele Musso. Our theme song is by Elision.

HOSTS

Dan Ilett

Dan Ilett writes on tech, money and energy. He advises business on digital strategy and technology messaging for large deals. He is founder of Erbut - an advisory company - and Greenbang - a smart technology research company.

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.

Danny Nelson

Danny is CoinDesk's managing editor for Data & Tokens. He formerly ran investigations for the Tufts Daily. At CoinDesk, his beats include (but are not limited to): federal policy, regulation, securities law, exchanges, the Solana ecosystem, smart money doing dumb things, dumb money doing smart things and tungsten cubes. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL tokens, as well as the LinksDAO NFT.

Benjamin Schiller

Benjamin Schiller is CoinDesk's managing editor for features and opinion. Previously, he was editor-in-chief at BREAKER Magazine and a staff writer at Fast Company. He holds some ETH, BTC and LINK.

Danny Bradbury

Danny Bradbury has been a professional writer since 1989, and has worked freelance since 1994. He covers technology for publications such as the Guardian.

EPISODES