Anna Baydakova

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.

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(Henrik Sorensen/GettyImages)
Dash Blockchain Halts, Binance Pool Suspends Mining Rewards
The blockchain behind oldest privacy coin stopped after a failed hard fork, with the chain reportedly split in two.
(Henrik Sorensen/GettyImages)
(Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
U.S. Sanctions Watchdog Alleges Russia-Linked Crypto Wallet Processed $5M
An Irish national helped wealthy Russians evade sanctions and hide money in UAE, OFAC said Friday.
(Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
The HASH Podcast Graphic
Coinbase Praises Canada’s Crypto Approach; Ledger’s New Bitcoin Key Recovery Feature Debate Swirls
The most valuable crypto stories for Friday, May 19, 2023.
The HASH Podcast Graphic
“Security is really the precursor to mass adoption and scalability," Alex Zinder, global head of hardware wallet maker Ledger Enterprises said, on CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover," show. (Hendrik Morkel via Unsplash)
Is Ledger’s New Bitcoin Key Recovery Feature Safe? Experts Have Doubts
The French wallet-maker believes the service will help attract customers turned off by crypto's unforgiving self-custody ethos. But critics wonder whether the concept is compa...
“Security is really the precursor to mass adoption and scalability," Alex Zinder, global head of hardware wallet maker Ledger Enterprises said, on CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover," show. (Hendrik Morkel via Unsplash)
Phishing attack/Shutterstock
Serial Phishing Scammer Uses a Mix of Laundering Techniques, Including Coin Swaps and a Mysterious OTC
Attacker behind a fake HitBTC website might have stolen $15M worth of crypto from multiple scams and phishing attacks.
Phishing attack/Shutterstock
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Payroll Startup Rise Wins CoinDesk's 2023 Pitchfest Contest
Based in Ohio, Rise onboards employees for automatic crypto paychecks.
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Crypto Exchange Binance Is Back in Russia, Lifts Restrictions on Russian Users: Report
Users in Russia report they once again can use locally issued Mastercard and Visa cards to deposit money on the crypto exchange more than a year following a wartime prohibitio...
(Unsplash)
Elvira Nabiullina, Bank of Russia chief (Bank of Russia)
Russia Plans to Mine Crypto for Cross-Border Deals, Says Central Bank
International sanctions have been imposed on the country to exclude it from the U.S. dollar-powered global payment infrastructure.
Elvira Nabiullina, Bank of Russia chief (Bank of Russia)
The Ryuk ransomware gang may have been named after a Japanese manga character. (Andrew Evans, modified by CoinDesk)
Ryuk Ransomware Gang’s Crypto Broker Gets Light Sentence After a Guilty Plea
Denis Dubnikov was sentenced to time served, a $10,000 fine and a $2,000 forfeiture.
The Ryuk ransomware gang may have been named after a Japanese manga character. (Andrew Evans, modified by CoinDesk)
(Rachel Sun/CoinDesk)
Fedi Gives Bitcoiners a Community Custody Option
For most people, crypto custody comes down to the choice of holding their own keys or giving them to an exchange. Fedi offers an intriguing third way – to share the burden wit...
(Rachel Sun/CoinDesk)