Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? An HBO documentary titled "Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery" claims to unveil the identity of the pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin. Speculation on the decentralized betting market Polymarket suggests that the leading candidates are Adam Back, Nick Szabo, and Len Sassaman.
Traders have even begun creating memecoins in honor of these influential figures in cryptography, with recent launches including tickers LEN, ODIN, and SASHA, reportedly named after the late coder’s pets.
This isn’t the first time mainstream media has attempted to identify Bitcoin’s creator. In 2014, Newsweek incorrectly linked California physicist Dorian Nakamoto to Bitcoin, leading to the creation of Dorian-themed memecoins across platforms like Arbitrum and Ethereum.
In 2015, Gizmodo and Wired named Australian computer scientist Craig Steven Wright as Satoshi, a claim he maintained until a UK court ruled that he did not create Bitcoin. Wright's late colleague, David Kleiman, has also been implicated, with his brother, Ira Kleiman, claiming $70 billion in Bitcoin from a legal battle with Wright.
Interestingly, neither Ira Kleiman nor Wright has proven control over the alleged coins, and recent trials have cast doubt on the evidence of their involvement in Bitcoin's creation.
While many Bitcoin enthusiasts show little interest in uncovering Satoshi’s identity, some believe that confirming Satoshi's death could positively impact Bitcoin’s market. This is because over 1 million bitcoins mined by Satoshi would remain inaccessible.
Through the years, several individuals have been suggested as potential candidates for being Satoshi Nakamoto. Besides Sassaman, Back, and Szabo, Hal Finney, the first Bitcoin user after Satoshi, has also been mentioned.
Most candidates, including Szabo, were part of the Cryptography Mailing List and worked on projects aimed at enhancing autonomy through internet technologies. Szabo, for instance, pioneered the concept of smart contracts, which are essential for blockchain applications today.
Even though Satoshi’s true identity remains a mystery, he left behind a wealth of writings in various formats. Analysts have attempted to decode his unique writing style, noting his use of British English and specific grammar patterns.
In 2021, Evan Leung Hatch theorized that Len Sassaman, who tragically passed away in 2011, could be Satoshi. Sassaman’s work in PGP encryption and remailers, which reportedly inspired Bitcoin, adds weight to this theory. However, his widow has publicly stated she does not believe he created Bitcoin.
Adam Back is one of the few individuals referenced in the original Bitcoin whitepaper, leading some to speculate he could be Satoshi. Back is credited with creating the proof-of-work algorithm, foundational to Bitcoin. He has consistently denied being Satoshi, arguing that maintaining the mystery around Bitcoin’s creator is beneficial for the cryptocurrency's perception.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or investment advice.
