Canadian Bitcoin developer Peter Todd has denied claims made in the HBO documentary *Money Electric: The Bitcoin History* that he is the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The HBO Documentary and Controversy
The documentary, directed by Cullen Hoback, aired recently, triggering widespread speculation and debate within the cryptocurrency community. In the documentary, Hoback suggests that Todd may be Nakamoto, based on various coincidences and past statements. This revelation has placed Todd at the center of renewed interest and speculation.
Todd, known for his involvement in major blockchain projects such as OpenTimestamps, Counterparty, Mastercoin, and Zcash, responded strongly to the claims, calling the documentary “irresponsible.”
Speaking to CNN, Todd firmly denied the accusations. He expressed concern over the potential consequences of the film's claims, emphasizing that it could put his personal safety at risk. He accused the documentary's creators of “grasping at straws” by turning coincidences into a full-blown conspiracy theory.
Allegations in the Documentary
The documentary points to several incidents that Hoback believes support his theory. One key moment cited in the film is a 2016 chat log in which Todd allegedly referred to himself as “the world’s leading expert on how to sacrifice your bitcoins.” Hoback claims this statement could be interpreted as an admission that Todd may have destroyed access to Nakamoto’s vast Bitcoin holdings, believed to be around 1.1 million BTC.
Additionally, the film highlights a 2010 incident where Todd allegedly replied to one of Nakamoto’s posts on the BitcoinTalk forum under his own account. Hoback argues that this could indicate a link between Todd and Nakamoto.
Speculation Around Todd's Identity
Interestingly, Todd’s name did not originally appear in betting markets speculating on Nakamoto’s identity. On the popular platform Polymarket, the list of possible candidates included well-known figures such as Len Sassaman, Adam Back, and Nick Szabo. Todd only became a candidate after leaked footage hinted at his inclusion, which shifted bets to the “Other/Multiple” category, drawing 99% of the total wagers.
HBO's Response and Todd's Future
HBO has remained silent on the controversy, with a spokesperson declining to comment when approached by CNN. Todd had also claimed that he was not consulted before the film’s release, nor was he given an opportunity to preview the film.
Hoback, however, remains confident in his findings, stating that Todd had ample opportunity to address the claims during filming.
He stated,
“Peter was there that day. He knows what was discussed. He had every opportunity to explain himself.”
Despite the buzz generated by the film, many in the cryptocurrency community remain skeptical of these claims.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
