As a longtime Bitcoiner, I needed to roll my eyes once I noticed HBO launch a trailer for an upcoming documentary, teasing to disclose Satoshi’s identification. Hypothesis arose that it could reveal who’s Satoshi Nakamoto. After seeing many half-baked makes an attempt to “unmask” Satoshi through the years, I am sure this newest one will not present definitive proof both.
If you happen to’ve been in Bitcoin lengthy sufficient, you realize the drill — somebody claims they know or are Satoshi, theories begin swirling, however no convincing proof ever materializes. Inevitably it ends with embarrassment for the accuser. We have been via this rodeo too many occasions now.
With Bitcoin changing into a $1.2 trillion asset class, the attract of outing Satoshi is comprehensible. His stash alone is supposedly 1.1 million BTC, price over $65 billion presently.
The standard suspects like Adam Again, Hal Finney or Nick Szabo will seemingly be resurrected as prime candidates. And the accused will once more firmly deny the allegations. Our favourite Bitcoin historian, Pete Rizzo, already made $200 bets with Shinobi, Nikolaus, Frank, and I that Again finally ends up named and denies it.
But ideally, Satoshi ought to stay nameless as he clearly desired. Bitcoin succeeds on the deserves of its decentralized design, not based mostly on any single character. Unmasking Satoshi dangers undermining Bitcoin’s mystique and independence.
As Bitcoin grows into a worldwide asset, the stakes round figuring out its creator rise exponentially. The richest individual on earth makes for a beautiful bounty. However true proof stays elusive.
These periodic media frenzies claiming to crack the case produce nice hype but all the time disappoint. They act as newbie sleuths following flawed hunches somewhat than neutral investigations in search of fact.
So I counsel fellow Bitcoiners to take subsequent week’s “huge reveal” with an enormous grain of salt. It’ll seemingly be extra sensationalism than substance, repeating acquainted theories that fall in need of definitive proof.
The one one that can conclusively show they’re Satoshi is Satoshi himself. Till then, the thriller continues – because it ought to.
This text is a Take. Opinions expressed are completely the creator’s and don’t essentially replicate these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.
