The debate has raged over the years regarding who the real Satoshi Nakamoto is. Currently, we are beyond Bitcoin’s (“BTC”) tenth anniversary and do not have a confirmed Satoshi. Evidence points to a few key players likely being Satoshi Nakamoto. Before it is discussed who Satoshi may be, it is essential to understand BTC’s history.
In 2007 Satoshi wrote the Bitcoin code. In November 2008 the great Bitcoin White paper was released. This established the Bitcoin protocol’s purpose. It was on January 3rd, 2009 the first ever Bitcoin block was mined with an essential message embedded in it, “the Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on the brink of the second bailout for banks.”
What we know about Satoshi is that he was heavily involved with the Bitcoin community. He also highlighted the banking failures of 2009 in his first sent message. He collaborated with many of the early developers for approximately two years. In December of 2010, Satoshi handed the reigns to Gavin Andresen.
The final words of Satoshi came a few months later in Spring of 2011, stating he had “moved on to other things…(BTC) in good hands with Gavin and everyone.”
So the mystery begins, who was this mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto? Was it a pseudonym something much more obvious?
Satoshi Candidates
Dorian Prentice “Satoshi Nakamoto”
Besides those openly claiming to be Satoshi, one that shares his exact name is always a likely candidate. Satoshi claimed to be of Japanese descent, born in the 1970s. However, in a world where he preached anonymity and freedom of finances would he have used his real name?
It seems unlikely, but there is an individual, Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto, which is a likely possibility for the real Satoshi. Dorian Nakamoto received training as a physicist at Cal Poly and was a well-known libertarian.
A Newsweek article from March 2014, written by Leah Goodman, was first to highlight Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto as the possible real Satoshi. His most crucial piece of evidence was Dorian’s response to a question regarding Bitcoin.
“I am no longer involved in that and I cannot discuss it. It’s been turned over to other people. They are in charge of it now. I no longer have any connection.” Very poignant words for someone who later recanted their statement stating he misunderstood the question.
A final piece of evidence linking Dorian Nakamoto is that he lived blocks away from Hal Finney. It seems the list of likely candidates is shrinking.
Did Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto admit he was the real Satoshi and had passed the reigns long ago? Or was it indeed a misunderstanding?
Nick Szabo
Nick, has many signs that illustrate why he is a likely candidate to be Satoshi. Prior to the Bitcoin whitepaper he published a paper entitled “Bit Gold,” considered by most to be the true precursor to cryptocurrency.
Skye Grey a researcher in reverse textual analysis found many unique phrases throughout Szabo’s writing and the original Bitcoin whitepaper. The individual who wrote the Bitcoin whitepaper either read Bit Gold, or was the author himself.
Many concepts from the Bitcoin whitepaper were originally illustrated in Bit Gold although no connection between the two were publicly stated.
Unlike some, Nick denies being Satoshi. The evidence demonstrates the writer of the Bitcoin whitepaper read Nick’s Bit Gold, but did Nick write the Bitcoin whitepaper too?
Hal Finney
One of the lesser discussed candidates but equally likely to be Satoshi, is Hal Finney. Prior to Bitcoin’s existence Hal was a cryptographic pioneer and the 2nd person to make use of the software, file bug reports and improve BTC code (after Satoshi).
What is most impressive about Hal is he was the first person to ever receive Bitcoin, “…when Satoshi sent ten coins as a test.” Did Hal send 10 BTC to himself as a test? Or was he collaborating with the actual Satoshi on the network? Either way we know Hal was the 2nd person to interact with the BTC blockchain, but was he also the first?
A notable Forbes journalist, Andy Greenberg, requested aid from writing analysis consultancy Juola & Associates to review Hal’s work. They concluded it is likely he was the ghostwriter for Satoshi Nakamoto, but does that mean he was Satoshi or solely writing for him?
Hal died on August 28, 2014, with significant circumstantial evidence pointing to him being the original Satoshi.
David Kleiman
A candidate, although a less likely one, David Kleiman. David is admittedly one of the first Bitcoin miners and was involved with designing security systems used in the U.S. governments digital systems. He was clearly involved from the beginning, but was he the original Satoshi?
Another theory from Gizmodo puts David and Craig Wright at the center of the Bitcoin project. If authentic, an email excerpt predating the Bitcoin whitepaper states “I need your help editing a paper I am going to release later this year. I have been working on a new form of electronic money. BItcash, Bitcoin…You are always there for me Dave. I want you to be a part of it all.”
If authentic it seems that Craig Wright may be the author of the Bitcoin whitepaper,seeking help from many different sources including some of the original miners like David Kleiman.
What is alarming is that Kleiman, like others on this list, died under mysterious circumstances in 2013. It seems those that likely may have been Satoshi, or knew whom Satoshi was have shortened life spans. Coincidence?
Craig Wright
Most cannot stand when Craig Wright is mentioned as Bitcoin’s founder or the author of the whitepaper. However, there is substantial evidence that points to his possibility of being the original Satoshi Nakamoto.
Craig was an Australian academic, computer engineering expert and entrepreneur. Gizmodo received an anonymous email in 2015 from an individual claiming Craig was the creator of Bitcoin and that he had personally worked for him.
Wired confirmed the source and certified that Wright was indeed Satoshi. On December 9, within hours of Wired’s confirmation, the Australian Federal Police raided his home. They stated, “The matter is unrelated to recent media reporting regarding the digital currency Bitcoin.” However, they never declared what the raid was in regards to.
Craig deleted his media presence for almost a year until May of 2016. At this point Craig Wright openly admitted he was the creator of Bitcoin (using Twitter as his medium). Following an onslaught of criticism,he claimed he had extraordinary proof but later stated he didn’t have the courage to prove his identity.
If he indeed had this proof, send a message from one of the many original Satoshi wallets.
Elon Musk (The “Moon” Shot)
Not your typical cryptographer but a technological mastermind by any regards. In law they always look for a motive. At the time of Bitcoin’s inception there was no one with more of a motive to shift the financial system than Elon Musk.
The company he built from the ground up, Tesla, was facing bankruptcy while he desperately searched for funding. The banks being bailed out by the federal government were turning a blind eye to those that not only deserved lending, but would change the future.
As a forward thinker, someone fighting a broken and corrupt financial system, and an ideologist he is the perfect candidate for someone with a strong motive, the financial prowess, the tech connections and the ability to put all the pieces together.
If someone orchestrated the entire formation of blockchain as a means to improve finance and technology, Elon Musk would be a top candidate that few people mention.
Not a Single Person?
The one thing not mentioned is the team theory. What if a team built Bitcoin, the whitepaper, and the technology behind the first blockchain?
The reality is a team did do it. Most of those team members are listed above. However, the mystery remains which of those team members are the original Satoshi Nakamoto?
Is it the gentleman actually named Satoshi Nakamoto who lived walking distance to others on this list?
Is it Craig Wright who is willing to defend in court he is Satoshi?
Is it Hal Finney who lived next to Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto and was declared Satoshi’s ghostwriter?
Is it David Kleiman who died under suspicious circumstances?
Is it Nick Szabo, the writer of Bit Gold?
Is it Elon Musk, a true tech genius, and entrepreneur with an exceptional motive?
Satoshi is a Dangerous Man to Be
What has become evidently clear is many on the above list died under suspicious circumstances. Those that have not perished have been under constant government scrutiny.
People ask why has Satoshi not come forward?
Maybe he is scared of being murdered. Maybe the repercussions would be far too great for one man to handle. Maybe he is no longer alive to claim the throne.
Either way, one thing is clear. Satoshi Nakamoto is one dangerous man to be. He would also be on the Forbes Billionaire list with just his BTC holdings (assuming he had access to those wallets).
[Disclaimer: This views expressed in this article do not reflect the views of Blockchain Reporter and should not be taken as financial advice.]
To read the Crypto King’s prior articles or to get in contact directly with him, you can on Twitter (@JbtheCryptoKing) or Reddit. The King is the founder of PocketNode, ANON and actively trades cryptocurrencies
