The mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, continues to fascinate the crypto community. A recent HBO documentary suggested that Canadian Bitcoin developer Peter Todd is the mastermind behind Bitcoin. However, this theory has been met with skepticism, including from Billy Markus, the co-founder of Dogecoin.
Dogecoin Founder Casts Doubt on HBO’s Theory
Markus, known online as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, took to X to express his disbelief in the documentary’s claims. He stated that Peter Todd is “not Satoshi” and went on to describe him as a “core developer” but not the creator of Bitcoin.
When pressed further about the identity of Satoshi, Markus offered a cryptic hint: “Someone who is not alive.” This statement sparked even more speculation within the crypto community.
Hal Finney: A Possible Candidate?
Markus’s response led many to consider Hal Finney, a renowned computer scientist and early Bitcoin adopter, as a potential candidate for Satoshi.
Arguments for Finney:
- Early Involvement: Finney was the recipient of the first Bitcoin transaction and one of the first people to communicate with Satoshi.
- Cryptographic Expertise: He was a respected cryptographer with a deep understanding of digital currencies.
- Writing Style Similarities: Some have noted similarities between Finney’s writing style and that of Satoshi, including the use of British English spellings and certain phrases.
- Location: Finney lived just a few blocks away from Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, another individual who was initially suspected of being Bitcoin’s creator.
Arguments Against Finney:
- Denials: Finney consistently denied being Satoshi until his passing in 2014.
- ALS Diagnosis: Finney was diagnosed with ALS in 2009, a debilitating disease that would have made it difficult to manage and develop Bitcoin while concealing his identity.
- Documented Correspondence: Finney had documented email conversations with Satoshi, which would be unusual if they were the same person.
- Differences in Writing and Coding: Some analyses have highlighted differences in their communication styles, programming approaches, and conventions.
While the mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity remains unsolved, Markus’s statement has added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing debate. The crypto community continues to speculate and analyze the evidence, hoping to uncover the truth behind Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator.
