A Bitcoin developer is calling out an HBO documentary for linking him to the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin.
Peter Todd, a software developer, has vehemently denied being Satoshi Nakamoto in a recent interview with Bloomberg. This comes after the HBO documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” suggested that Todd might be connected to Nakamoto through circumstantial evidence.
Todd Refutes Documentary Claims
In an email to Bloomberg, Todd stated, “I am not Satoshi,” directly addressing the documentary’s claims. The film, directed by Cullen Hoback, suggests that Nakamoto may have accidentally used Todd’s internet message board account to continue discussions started under the Nakamoto pseudonym.
However, Todd refuted this claim, explaining that his account at the time was named “retep” and that users on the Bitcoin message board typically used anonymous handles. He further explained that if he had mistakenly continued Nakamoto’s post under the “retep” account, he could have easily created a new account to post under his real name. Instead, he changed the “retep” account to reflect his actual identity.
“If Cullen had actually wanted to find Satoshi, he could have easily fact-checked this,” Todd noted, suggesting that the documentary might have been more about generating buzz than uncovering the truth.
Safety Fears
Todd expressed concern about the documentary’s claims, stating that falsely accusing someone of having billions of dollars puts them at risk of robbery and kidnapping. He believes that the documentary’s claims are putting his life at risk to promote the film.
The true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been a mystery since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009. Over the years, various individuals have been suggested as potential candidates, but none have been definitively confirmed.
The documentary’s claims highlight the ongoing fascination with the identity of Bitcoin’s creator and the potential risks associated with being falsely linked to such a massive fortune.
