HBO's documentary "Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery" is making bold claims that it has identified Satoshi Nakamoto. The film, now streaming on Max, explores the origins of the most popular coin. So, has the secret finally been revealed?
The documentary points to Canadian developer Peter Todd as the person behind the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin. Todd, who was among the core developers during Bitcoin's early days, was interviewed by the film's director, Cullen Hoback.
The award-winning filmmaker pieced together old and new clues, confronting both Todd and Blockstream founder Adam Back, another prominent Satoshi suspect, with the evidence.
However, Todd dismissed the idea as “ludicrous,” sarcastically saying, “I’m Satoshi Nakamoto, we’re all Satoshi.”
If Todd is accepted as the creator of Bitcoin, it would end over a decade of speculation about the identity of the person responsible for launching the global, multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency industry. While Bitcoin has pushed the boundaries of finance, it has also facilitated widespread fraud and illegal activities.
Todd's extensive work on Bitcoin and blockchain technology has established him as a highly skilled and knowledgeable developer, making him a credible Satoshi candidate. His views on decentralization and security align with Nakamoto's, though these views are common among blockchain experts. Additionally, Todd maintains a low profile, which could suggest a similarity to Bitcoin's elusive inventor.
The crypto community, however, was not quick to accept the Todd-as-Satoshi theory. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, users criticized the claim, saying there was no substantial evidence linking Todd to Nakamoto.
Whether or not Todd is Satoshi, his deep involvement in Bitcoin’s development is undeniable. As one of the earliest contributors to Bitcoin's code and someone who communicated with Nakamoto before their 2011 disappearance, Todd remains an important figure in the cryptocurrency's history.
While the release of the HBO documentary generated significant buzz, it did not lead to a major shift in Bitcoin prices. Most in the crypto community dismissed the documentary's claims, and Todd himself denied being Satoshi. However, certain meme coins tied to Nakamoto-related theories experienced volatility, with some surging after the documentary's release. Overall, the Bitcoin market remained skeptical rather than reactive to the revelation.