Anna Chekhovich, financial director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, discusses the corruption of the Russian government, projects of the foundation, challenges of operating inside Russia, and how Bitcoin is the financial savior. They also explore public opinion in Russia, terrorism, and the use of Bitcoin for privacy and security.
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Quick takeaways
The Anti-Corruption Foundation in Russia uses Bitcoin as a means to receive donations and support, overcoming government attempts to disrupt their activities.
The foundation conducts investigations into the corruption of Russian authorities, exposing their hidden properties and advocating for sanctions to curb corruption.
Deep dives
Projects aimed at opposing Putin's regime
The Anti-Corruption Foundation is dedicated to defeating the Putin regime and has various projects to achieve this goal. They provide legal assistance to civilians to avoid forced mobilization into the war, raise awareness about the conditions in soldier confinement and torture, and support other small projects combating the regime. The foundation works tirelessly, including a team that operates 24/7.
Challenges faced by the organization in Russia
Operating in Russia presented numerous challenges for the Anti-Corruption Foundation. The government attempted to disrupt their activities by blocking their bank accounts and labeling them as an extremist organization or foreign agent. These actions were aimed at cutting off their financial resources and delegitimizing their work. The foundation had to adapt to these pressures, using Bitcoin as a means to receive donations and support from individuals both within and outside of Russia.
Persecution and danger faced by individuals involved in the foundation
Working in the foundation in Russia came with personal risks. Team members experienced surveillance, followed by strange individuals, and constant anxiety. The government's tactics aimed to manipulate and intimidate them. Eventually, some members decided to leave the country due to safety concerns. Leaving early proved wise as searches and attempts to apprehend them occurred shortly afterward. Regrettably, the government's actions also impacted innocent individuals, such as seizing funds belonging to colleagues who had taken over their former residences.
Investigations revealing corruption of Russian authorities
The Anti-Corruption Foundation conducts in-depth investigations into the corruption of Russian authorities, including Putin and his close circle. Through video journalism, they expose lavish properties owned by these individuals in various countries, often registered under the names of their relatives or hidden through complex networks of illegal entities. The foundation's work aims to reveal the extent of corruption and encourage the imposition of sanctions, which have already led to some oligarchs losing access to their properties and facing restrictions on travel.
// OUTLINE // 00:00 - Coming up 00:40 - Intro 02:13 - Helping Lightning Startups with In Wolf's Clothing 02:59 - Introducing Anna Chekhovich 03:28 - Anti-Corruption Foundation and Alexei Navalny 06:48 - Assassination Attempt and Imprisonment of Alexei Navalny 10:52 - Projects of the Anti-Corruption Foundation 14:02 - Secure Your Bitcoin Stash with the iCoin Hardware Wallet 14:59 - Maximize Your Profits with Gold Investment Letter 15:55 - Challenges of Operating Inside Russia 19:09 - Bitcoin is the Financial Savior 23:51 - Statism and Terrorism 25:05 - Public Opinion in Russia 27:31 - A Bitcoin Wallet with Privacy Built-In: Wasabi Wallet 28:22 - Hold Bitcoin in the Most Secure Custody Model with Casa 29:11 - The Corruption of Money 30:34 - Resistance through Decentralized Media 32:42 - Anna's Experience with the Russian Government 36:09 - Highlighting Corruption by Video Journalism 40:40 - Where to Find Anna on the Internet