Inside the Latest Flare-Up of the Bitcoin Maximalism Debate

“Opinionated” hosts dissect recent online discussions that have reignited the bitcoin maximalism debate in the crypto community.

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ABOUT

“It’s about labels, it’s about people having fun fighting each other… Nothing regarding technology is at stake here,” says host Anna Baydakova of the bitcoin maximalism debate.

“Opinionated” hosts Ben Schiller and Anna Baydakova discuss the long-running and fundamental debate at the center of crypto subculture that pits bitcoin maximalists, those who believe bitcoin is the best and only cryptocurrency that should exist, against the broader crypto community.

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

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.

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.