HBO Documentary Unveils Satoshi Nakamoto? Bitcoin Developer Peter Todd Denies IdentityJust yesterday (October 8th), on Tuesday evening, HBO aired a documentary about Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, titled "MoneyElectric: The Bitcoin Mystery." The documentary created a stir with its bold claim that former Canadian Bitcoin developer Peter Todd is the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto
HBO Documentary Unveils Satoshi Nakamoto? Bitcoin Developer Peter Todd Denies Identity
Just yesterday (October 8th), on Tuesday evening, HBO aired a documentary about Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, titled "MoneyElectric: The Bitcoin Mystery." The documentary created a stir with its bold claim that former Canadian Bitcoin developer Peter Todd is the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto.
Documentary filmmaker Cullen Hoback reached this startling conclusion based on a collection of old and new clues. At the end of the film, he asks Todd directly: "How do you know so much about Bitcoin?" Todd's response was even more jaw-dropping: "Because I'm Satoshi Nakamoto!"
However, Todd's denial was not unfounded. Before the documentary aired, Todd sent an email to tech media outlet CoinDesk, stating clearly that he was not Satoshi Nakamoto. He said: "Of course, I am not Satoshi Nakamoto." Todd ironically mentioned that the documentary director, Cullen Hoback, was previously known for unveiling the truth behind the QAnon conspiracy theory, now he's using the same approach to speculate about Satoshi's identity.
The documentary's reasoning is mainly based on these points:
- Todd's Early Interest in Cryptography: Todd was only 23 when Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper, but he showed a strong interest in cryptography in his early years.
- Todd's Relationship with Bitcoin Pioneer Adam Back: Todd is one of the few people who publicly interacted with Satoshi Nakamoto before his mysterious disappearance in 2010. Adam Back is the CEO of Bitcoin development company Blockstream and an early Bitcoin developer.
- Todd's Technical Abilities: Todd graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada, and has a solid technical background.
- The Fact That Satoshi Used British/Canadian Spelling: Todd is from Canada, and Satoshi used some British/Canadian spellings in his early writings.
Hoback also specifically mentioned a post in which Todd replied to Satoshi Nakamoto on a public forum in 2010. He believes that this reply was a continuation of Satoshi's post, but accidentally came from Todd's account.
However, these clues do not form conclusive evidence. Todd's response also raised public suspicion. In the documentary, Hoback directly asks Todd if he is Satoshi. Todd replies with a laugh, "Yes, I am Satoshi. I'm also Craig Wright." This is obviously a joke, as Todd has made similar jokes before. He further explained, "When you put this into a documentary and have a bunch of Bitcoin enthusiasts watch it, it's very amusing because it's another instance of journalists really missing the point."
The community's reaction is also fascinating. Many people on social media expressed doubt about Hoback's conclusion, and viewers laughed at the suggestion that Todd was Satoshi. One person joked: "They left enough room for everyone to be Satoshi."
In New York, hours before the documentary premiered, there was a betting frenzy on Polymarket about who Satoshi actually is. Interestingly, Todd was not previously on the candidate list, so those who wanted to bet on him had to choose "Other/Multiple." Previously, cyberpunk Len Sassaman and programmer Nick Szabo were leading the "Satoshi candidates" list.
Adam Back, CEO of Bitcoin development company Blockstream, stood beside Todd in the documentary, but did not respond to CoinDesk's request for comment. Back posted on X, saying: "For those who are betting, they're betting on the conclusions made in the documentary. It may not be true, because nobody knows who Satoshi is."
Although Hoback's documentary has sparked widespread discussion, there is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that Peter Todd is Satoshi Nakamoto. The founder of Bitcoin remains a mystery, and Todd's denial and the community's reaction indicate that this debate is far from over. Regardless, the documentary has reignited people's interest in the Bitcoin founder. If you are interested in this topic, check out the documentary, maybe you'll find your own answer.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])
