A previous Bitcoin developer denied claims that he is the true Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, after an HBO documentary singled him out as the Bitcoin genius.
Peter Todd, who asserted that the documentary inaccurately identifies him as Satoshi, argued that it’s irrelevant to know the identity of the Bitcoin founder, given that Bitcoin has prospered despite the founder’s true identity remaining a mystery.
‘A Misleading Accusation’
Todd criticized the documentary’s creator for labeling him as Satoshi, describing it as a misleading accusation.
He expressed regret that the film subjected him to public scrutiny, despite his ongoing declarations that he is not the Bitcoin creator.
Todd contended that the HBO filmmaker leveraged the Satoshi accusation to promote his documentary, suggesting that the director needed “a strategy to draw attention to his film.”
Todd criticized the film’s director for embellishing the evidence and inciting conspiracy theories regarding the Bitcoin founder. He clarified that he could not possibly be Satoshi because, in Bitcoin’s early days, he was focused on his studies and work commitments.
Additionally, Todd asserted that he was unaware of the documentary’s focus during its production, revealing that he only learned about its content upon its release.
The Bitcoin Documentary
On October 8, HBO released a documentary that purportedly uncovered the true identity of Satoshi, the Bitcoin creator who has remained elusive for years.
The documentary, titled “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” showcased findings from a three-year investigation led by filmmaker Cullen Hoback. The film’s director claimed to have definitively revealed Satoshi’s identity.
The documentary presented evidence that identified Todd as the mysterious founder of the widely-used cryptocurrency. An allegation that Todd continues to reject, claiming he was distorted in the film.
Todd Goes Into Hiding
Following the broadcast of the two-hour documentary, Todd chose to go into hiding, fearing for his personal safety in light of the film.
In an interview, he revealed that he received numerous emails from individuals soliciting money. He even mentioned one person who sent him 25 email messages requesting help with loan repayments.
Todd now comprehends why the true Satoshi prefers to remain anonymous, given the level of harassment the Bitcoin creator would face.
The Search Continues
With Todd denying he is the Bitcoin founder, the quest for Satoshi’s identity will persist and continue to generate speculation.
Over time, various individuals have been proposed as the Bitcoin creator, which often thrusts them into the public eye and usually leads to unwanted consequences, such as invasions of their privacy.
Featured image from HBO, chart from TradingView
