HBO film claims Peter Todd may be Bitcoin creator Satoshi, developer denies it
HBO’s highly anticipated documentary, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” has identified Peter Todd as a possible candidate for being Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin. However, the Bitcoin core developer they have accused has taken to X to explicitly deny the allegations, stating: “I’m not Satoshi.”
The documentary, directed by Cullen Hoback, takes viewers on a “globe-trotting investigation” to unravel one of the internet’s greatest mysteries—revealing the true identity of Nakamoto. However, speaking to CNN, Todd accused the film of being “irresponsible.”
In the future of money, who holds the power?
The @HBO Original Documentary #MoneyElectric: The Bitcoin Mystery premieres October 8 on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/3gEwTqYaAq
— HBO Documentaries (@HBODocs) October 3, 2024
The Canadian cryptographer, who has gained recognition for his contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem, added: “Cullen Hobeck didn’t present it as a ‘trying to find Satoshi’ interview. I interviewed with him four or five times, and only on the very last interview did it become clear what he was doing.”
I'm not Satoshi.
— Peter Todd (@peterktodd) October 8, 2024
Cullen Hobeck didn't present it as a "trying to find Satoshi" interview. I interviewed with him four or five times, and only on the very last interview did it become clear what he was doing.
— Peter Todd (@peterktodd) October 8, 2024
Hoback, best known for his work on Q: Into the Storm, which explored the QAnon conspiracy, has stood by the claims, telling CNN: “Peter was there that day (in which he was interviewed for the film). He knows what was discussed. He had every opportunity to explain himself.”
There's old screenshots of the spokeo result on X. I saw and tested it ages ago. It seems, nobody really thought twice because just about no one considered Peter a suspect.
Bitcoiners are still very much struggling to consider the possibility.
— Cullen (@CullenHoback) October 9, 2024
Posting on X, Hoback asserted that Todd was associated with a Spokeo account with the email address satoshin@gmx.com. Spokeo is a people search engine that aggregates data from online and offline sources. He stated: “There’s old screenshots of the spokeo result on X. I saw and tested it ages ago. It seems, nobody really thought twice because just about no one considered Peter a suspect. Bitcoiners are still very much struggling to consider the possibility.”
Is Peter Todd Satoshi Nakamoto?
The pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto, has been used by various people over the years. The entity is credited with developing Bitcoin, authoring the Bitcoin white paper, and creating and launching its original reference implementation. Nakamoto also designed the first blockchain database as part of this project. Active in Bitcoin’s development until December 2010, Nakamoto’s true identity remains unknown.
If the 39-year-old were to be widely recognized as Bitcoin’s creator, it would end over a decade of speculation surrounding the identity of the individual whose work sparked a global, multibillion-dollar digital currency phenomenon—a craze that has revolutionized finance but also facilitated widespread fraud and other illegal activities.
In the lead-up to the documentary’s release, ReadWrite reported American computer scientist Nick Szabo surpassed cryptographer Len Sassaman as the top contender on Polymarket to be revealed as Nakamoto.
Featured image credit: HBO
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