A new documentary claims to have solved the greatest mystery in cryptocurrency: the true identity of the inventor of Bitcoin. The question of who is behind the digital currency has captivated the internet since it was launched by an unknown person or persons calling themselves Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.
The makers of an HBO film now say they have the answer: Canadian crypto expert Peter Todd. However, Mr. Todd has dismissed the claim as “ludicrous” and criticized the documentary.
In “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” Peter Todd is confronted by filmmaker Cullen Hoback, who presents his evidence and asks if Todd was behind the trillion-dollar invention. Todd laughs off the suggestion, stating, “I am not Satoshi Nakamoto.”
The intrigue around Satoshi is not just due to the mystery of their identity but also because of the enormous wealth they have accumulated. If Satoshi still had control of their bitcoin wallet, it would be worth around $69 billion today, making them one of the richest people in the world.
Peter Todd, a prominent Bitcoin developer, has never been named as a prime Satoshi candidate in the years of speculation about the Bitcoin inventor. The documentary has sparked huge interest, with over $44 million placed in bets on who the program would name as Satoshi on a crypto betting website.
Cullen Hoback, known for attempting to unmask anonymous online figures, says he came to his conclusion after years of research and interviews. One piece of evidence he presents is a forum post from Todd that appears to be a continuation of one from Satoshi. Another is Todd’s online statement that he deliberately destroyed a significant number of digital coins.
Despite the evidence presented, Todd maintains his innocence, stating that the claims are based on coincidence and misinterpretation of his online activity. He also reveals that he has had to travel away from his home due to fears of potential attacks from criminals.
Over the years, several individuals from the computing world have been tipped as the cryptocurrency’s creator, including Dorian Nakamoto and Craig Wright. However, their claims have been debunked, and the true identity of Satoshi remains a mystery.
For many in the Bitcoin community, keeping Satoshi’s identity secret is part of the appeal and power of the decentralized currency. As Adam Back, another potential Satoshi candidate, posted, “No one knows who Satoshi is, and that’s a good thing.”
