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


Tech

Russia's Supreme Court Makes 'Landmark' Vote With Blockchain System From Kaspersky Lab

The court for the first time used a blockchain-based system to record votes in a web-hosted plenary session Friday.

Russia's Supreme Court (E.O./Shutterstock)

Policy

Russia's Economy Ministry Calls for 'Controllable Market' Rather Than Crypto Ban

The ministry argued the draft ban would be harmful for Russia's economy and citizens, and called for a softer stance.

Russian government building

Finance

Moscow Said to Hire Kaspersky to Build Voting Blockchain With Bitfury Software

Moscow's government is giving voters the option of having their ballots recorded on a blockchain despite transparency concerns.

(Slutsky Maksim/Shutterstock)

Policy

Illegal Miners in Russia Stole $6.6M Worth of Electricity, Power Grid Firm Says

Electricity thieves built their own illicit power stations to connect hidden mining farms with the local energy grid, a state-owned provider says.

power lines

Finance

Crypto-Friendly Arival Bank Is Launching Today for Those Willing to Disclose Their Bags

After two years of laying groundwork, crypto-friendly Arival Bank is launching in beta Thursday. But there’s a catch: Clients must disclose all wallets.

Arival bank founders Slava Solodkiy, Igor Pesin and Jeremy Berger (Credit: Arival)

Policy

Russia Is About to Drop the Crypto ‘Iron Curtain,’ Industry Warns

Russia's crypto community is pushing back against a set of bills that could impose onerous restrictions on startups and individuals in the country.

Russian State Duma

Finance

Telegram CEO Donates 10 BTC to Pandemic Relief Effort

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov reportedly donated about $90,000 worth of bitcoin to help alleviate the financial burden of COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Policy

Bank of Russia Wants to Put Mortgage Issuance on a Blockchain

Russia's is eyeing use cases for blockchain even as proposed legislation will clamp down on crypto.

Russia's Central Bank

Policy

Telegram Quits Court Fight With SEC Over TON Blockchain Project

Telegram has thrown in the towel in its court battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and will no longer be appealing the ban on its blockchain token project.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Policy

Russia Considering Draconian Rules for Illegal Crypto Operations

Harsh new rules for using and issuing digital assets without a license might soon become law in Russia.

Russian State Duma