Documentary Claims Peter Todd as Creator of Bitcoin
A new HBO documentary, Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, claims that Canadian developer Peter Todd is Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic founder of Bitcoin.
Filmmaker Cullen Hoback, known for his investigative work, pieced together evidence from both historical clues and recent discoveries while engaging with Todd and Adam Back, another potential candidate for Satoshi’s identity.
In a climactic moment in the film, Hoback confronts Todd, asking if he had insights into Bitcoin’s development.
“Well, yeah, I’m Satoshi Nakamoto,” Todd replies.
However, this statement is viewed with skepticism. Prior to the documentary’s release, Todd had reportedly denied being Satoshi.
“Of course I’m not Satoshi,” he stated to CoinDesk.
He is known to use the phrase “I am Satoshi” in a more symbolic manner, reflecting a belief in the importance of anonymity in the cryptocurrency space.
If Todd were confirmed as Bitcoin’s creator, it would settle a decade-long mystery surrounding the identity of Nakamoto, whose pioneering work has catalyzed a global digital currency movement. Despite Todd’s prominent role as a Bitcoin core developer and his previous interactions with Nakamoto in online forums, many in the cryptocurrency community remain unconvinced by Hoback’s assertions.
Nic Carter, a founding partner at Castle Island Ventures, stated, “Generally speaking, people consider [Todd’s] views on Bitcoin as very important,” but he is not widely seen as a leading candidate for Satoshi’s identity. Todd’s background as a 39-year-old graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design adds another layer to the debate, as he would have been just 23 years old when Nakamoto published the Bitcoin white paper in 2008.
Hoback’s exploration of Todd’s past includes a 2010 forum post where Todd appeared to engage with Nakamoto’s ideas, sparking speculation about their connection. Todd’s unique writing style, including British spellings, also raised questions among some observers. However, as the documentary unfolds, skepticism remains regarding whether Todd is indeed the elusive Bitcoin creator.
Despite the documentary’s provocative claims, the crypto community has not universally accepted the theory. Jameson Lopp, co-founder of the Bitcoin company Casa, expressed doubts on X.
“Wherever Satoshi may be, I like to think they’re having a laugh at this latest round of foolishness,” Lopp wrote.
Similarly, Carter stated he feels confident that Todd is not Nakamoto, emphasizing the level of cryptographic knowledge required to create Bitcoin.
In an era marked by intense scrutiny and speculation about Nakamoto’s identity, Money Electric presents an ambitious narrative while also reflecting on the broader implications of Bitcoin. Although Hoback’s documentary aims to uncover the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, it also highlights the continued mystery surrounding Bitcoin’s origins and the implications of its creator’s anonymity.
Politico, Fortune, the New York Times contributed to this report.
