
CoinDesk
Crypto news, data and Consensus coverage from a publication founded in 2013
What is CoinDesk?
CoinDesk is a crypto news and market-data publication founded in 2013. It covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, stablecoins, DeFi, real-world assets, ETFs, policy and institutional adoption, alongside live prices, research and the Consensus event.
Ownership and people
Shakil Khan founded CoinDesk after investing in BitPay, a bitcoin payment processor. Digital Currency Group acquired the publication in January 2016 for $550,000, and Bullish acquired it in November 2023. CoinDesk is based in the United States. Its current products include editorial coverage, data and indices, and Consensus.
Coverage and products
The site publishes breaking news, market analysis, policy reporting, technology coverage, opinion and longer features. Its Data & Indices business provides regulated reference rates and benchmark indices. Live market pages show prices and market updates, while the publication also offers original research and primers.
Newsletters include CoinDesk Headlines, Crypto Daybook Americas, State of Crypto, Crypto Long & Short, Crypto for Advisors, Tokenization Weekly and CoinDesk Insider. The podcast network publishes episodes about stablecoins and crypto regulation. Consensus has been hosted annually since 2015.
Track record
CoinDesk began publishing in May 2013 and launched the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index in September 2013. It acquired blockchain data and research platform Lawnmower in 2017 and cryptocurrency data analytics firm TradeBlock in 2021. Its reporting on Alameda Research’s FTT holdings on November 2, 2022, preceded the FTX liquidity crisis.
The publication’s ownership creates an editorial independence question. In December 2024, Bullish ordered an article about Tron founder Justin Sun removed, after which CoinDesk dismissed its three top editors and staff raised concerns about editorial autonomy. The site also carries sponsored thought leadership and commissioned research, including material sponsored by SG-FORGE and commissioned by Bullish.
Limits and risks
CoinDesk combines journalism with commercial data, indices, conferences and sponsored material. Its access model is free.
Founders
Investor in BitPay, a bitcoin payment processor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free access to daily crypto news and market reporting
- Coverage spans policy, technology, finance, DeFi and institutional adoption
- Publishes regulated reference rates and benchmark indices
- Offers newsletters, podcasts, video and original research
- Consensus has run annually since 2015
Cons
- Bullish ownership creates an editorial independence concern
- Three top editors were dismissed after a December 2024 article removal
- Sponsored and commissioned research appears alongside editorial coverage
- Commercial data, indices and events create potential conflicts
- Fast market coverage can trade depth for publication speed
Our review
CoinDesk combines frequent crypto news with market data and research, but Bullish ownership and the 2024 editorial dispute weaken its independence profile.
CoinDesk is a free crypto publication with news, market coverage, research, newsletters, podcasts, video and data products. Its coverage spans Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, layer 1 and layer 2 networks, stablecoins, DeFi, real-world assets, ETFs, policy and institutional adoption.
The homepage carried stories published hours earlier on October 17, 2026, including coverage of crypto policy and markets. The publication also runs the CoinDesk Podcast Network and newsletters such as Daybook and Crypto for Advisors. Its Data & Indices business adds regulated reference rates and benchmark indices for professional readers.
News updates and market reports are frequent, while Focus articles, original research and the Crypto for Advisors newsletter provide longer analysis. Sponsored material is present, including research commissioned by Bullish and thought leadership sponsored by SG-FORGE. The site labels editorial and sponsored research content separately.
Ownership is the main independence trade-off. CoinDesk began publishing in 2013, was acquired by Digital Currency Group in 2016 and was acquired by Bullish in November 2023. Its reporting on Alameda Research's FTT holdings preceded the 2022 FTX liquidity crisis. In December 2024, Bullish ordered an article about Tron founder Justin Sun removed, followed by the dismissal of CoinDesk's three top editors. That episode weighs against a clean independence rating.
CoinDesk is a news and data publication, rather than a custody or exchange service.
Specs
| Format | News, Data, Podcast, Video |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Layer 1s, Layer 2s, Stablecoins, DeFi, Real-world assets, ETFs, Policy, Institutional adoption · unverified |
| Access | Free |
| Languages | English · unverified |
| Newsletter | Yes |
| Podcast | Yes |
| Publishing frequency | Daily · unverified |
| Owned by | Bullish · unverified |
| Labels sponsored content | Yes · unverified |
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Crypto news coverage
Reports on Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, stablecoins, DeFi, real-world assets, ETFs and policy.
Market data pages
Provides live crypto prices, market updates and daily analysis across major digital assets.
Research library
Publishes original research, primers and quarterly updates for digital-asset market participants.
Newsletters
Offers CoinDesk Headlines, Crypto Daybook Americas, Crypto for Advisors and other recurring newsletters.
Podcast network
Publishes episodes on stablecoins, crypto regulation, Bitcoin and digital-asset markets.
Data and indices
Provides regulated reference rates, benchmark indices and exchange-related research through CoinDesk Data & Indices.
Consensus events
Runs the Consensus crypto summit, which CoinDesk has hosted annually since 2015.
Inside CoinDesk
Markets
The Markets section carries live market updates, price action and analysis. Recent coverage includes bitcoin and crypto-linked financial markets.
Latest News
Latest News provides current reporting across the crypto ecosystem, including finance, policy, technology and institutional adoption.
Thought Leadership
Thought Leadership contains commissioned and sponsored analysis, including material sponsored by SG-FORGE.
Newsletters
Newsletters include CoinDesk Headlines, Daybook, Crypto Daybook Americas, State of Crypto, Crypto Long & Short, Crypto for Advisors, Tokenization Weekly and CoinDesk Insider.
Featured Research
Featured Research presents original and commissioned reports on areas such as real-world assets, stablecoins and market infrastructure.
Today's Videos
Today's Videos collects current video coverage, including market updates and interviews on crypto and digital finance.
Opinion
Opinion publishes columns and outside-contributor essays on crypto policy, infrastructure, markets and related issues.
CoinDesk Podcast Network
The podcast network publishes audio episodes on crypto markets and digital assets. Listed episodes include RealFi and regulatory policy.
CoinDesk screenshots
What users say about CoinDesk
The replies provide very little direct feedback about CoinDesk itself. One commenter praised its reporting, while another criticized its perceived negative coverage, but no specific product strength or weakness was raised by at least two authors.
In their own words
“I actually think this is excellent reporting. Not even kidding”
“Lmao. Too much good news coming out for the XRP Ledger, so good ol Coindesk is right on que with the negative news nobody needed. 🤣”
Based on 193 X replies from the last 12 months, checked Oct 17, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used CoinDesk? Share your experience below.
Funding and investors
-
Acquisition Jan 2016 $550K
FAQ
Who founded CoinDesk?
Shakil Khan founded CoinDesk, which began publishing in 2013. Khan is also identified as an investor in BitPay, a bitcoin payment processor.
Is CoinDesk free to use?
CoinDesk's access model is Free. Its site provides news, market pages, videos, research and newsletter sign-ups without a listed subscription price.
Who owns CoinDesk?
Bullish owns CoinDesk after acquiring it in November 2023. CoinDesk was previously acquired by Digital Currency Group in January 2016.
Does CoinDesk hold crypto or require KYC?
CoinDesk is a publication, data and events business rather than an exchange or wallet. Its listed products do not provide crypto custody or trading accounts.
What does CoinDesk cover?
CoinDesk covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, layer 1 and layer 2 networks, stablecoins, DeFi, real-world assets, ETFs, policy and institutional adoption.
Does CoinDesk publish podcasts and newsletters?
Yes. CoinDesk runs the CoinDesk Podcast Network and publishes newsletters including Daybook, CoinDesk Headlines and Crypto for Advisors.
Latest from CoinDesk on X


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Recent public posts from @coindesk, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
Latest from CoinDesk on Telegram
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Recent posts from the official Telegram channel @CoinDeskGlobal, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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