Several major crypto newsrooms have closed or cut staff over the past year as search traffic fell. Perhaps no outlet felt the impact more than Cointelegraph. Now, its CEO is switching industries to the AI sector.
Yana Prikhodchenko has left Cointelegraph after nearly five years to become co-founder and CEO of Phase, an AI-agent blockchain venture backed by a $45 million funding commitment from its founder, Kirill Eves.
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Prikhodchenko confirmed that she retains ownership in Cointelegraph despite stepping down.
“I remain a shareholder, but I’ve left all operational and management roles.”
Previously an executive in banking and insurance, Prikhodchenko oversaw Cointelegraph’s expansion beyond journalism into research, marketing, and industry events. She said its workforce exceeded 200 during her tenure.
Why Is Cointelegraph’s CEO Leaving Now?
Prikhodchenko described her departure as a personal decision after years of building the media business.
“After nearly five years at one company, building its day-to-day operations and its team, launching new services and products together, there comes a point when you want the next big challenge.”
She said her interest in AI influenced her decision. However, her departure comes during a difficult period for crypto journalism.
Blockworks closed its newsroom in October 2025 to prioritize data products. DL News shut down in May 2026 despite reporting 270% revenue growth in its research business.
Meanwhile, Reuters Institute data showed Google search referrals to publishers fell 33% globally between November 2024 and November 2025.
Cointelegraph also faced scrutiny over its online strategy. Archived pages show it operated gambling-related sections in 2025. Its April 2026 editorial policy subsequently prohibited such coverage.
Reports linked declining search visibility to Google’s spam enforcement, although no penalty against Cointelegraph has been publicly confirmed.
Prikhodchenko declined to address reported staffing cuts, directing questions about current headcount to the company.
She denied that industry pressures prompted her departure.
“Hard times were never the reason to leave. Especially when the market is moving in cycles, it goes up and down.”
Does Her New Venture Have Cointelegraph Connections?
There are existing business ties.
Phase founder Eves also founded Unlimit, which co-hosted Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE events. Cointelegraph covered Phase’s October 29 launch before Prikhodchenko’s appointment.
She denied involvement in that coverage, saying editorial decisions were independent.
“No. Cointelegraph’s coverage is fully independent. Phase was covered like any other project.”
Prikhodchenko also confirmed receiving equity in Phase, leaving her with financial interests in both businesses. No direct corporate ownership relationship between them has been established.
