Nakamoto Unmasked? HBO Documentary Alleges Bitcoin Founder Exposure
Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious developer of Bitcoin, will be revealed in a new HBO documentary.
From Emmy-nominated filmmaker Cullen Hoback, who revealed the beginnings of the QAnon conspiracy theory in “Q: Into the Storm,” the documentary will debut next Wednesday, October 9, according to Politico.
Satoshi Nakamoto may be one of the world's richest with 1.1 million BTC. It is uncertain whether he holds the secret keys to unlock this fortune. Current assessments put Satoshi's holdings at $66 billion.
For the first time since Bitcoin's foundation, several dormant “Satoshi era” Bitcoin wallets have turned active as the documentary approaches.
Politico reports that 250 Bitcoin worth $15 million had been removed from these “long-silent wallets.” While these wallets are not formally tied to Satoshi Nakamoto, their activation raises questions about Bitcoin's origin.
Satoshi's identity is one of the internet's greatest mysteries. Satoshi engaged with a limited number of cryptographers and coding specialists via message boards and email after releasing the Bitcoin white paper on October 31, 2008.
Since 2010, Satoshi has withdrawn from public view, allowing the Bitcoin community to speculate about his identity. He warned WikiLeaks against utilizing cryptocurrencies in his final known message.
Late software engineer Hal Finney, systems engineer Dorian Nakamoto, computer scientist Nick Szabo, and Hashcash creator Adam Back are all suspected Satoshi.
Many in the Bitcoin community oppose identifying Satoshi Nakamoto, citing his privacy rights. They say these assertions are theoretical without evidence like Satoshi's wallet transfers.
Since Wright's allegations have been challenged in court, Bitcoin podcaster Peter McCormack said, “Until someone signs the private keys linked to Satoshi’s addresses, all of this remains mere conjecture.”
McCormack said that unmasking Satoshi may be “irresponsible and potentially dangerous.”
