Satoshi Nakamoto: Who is the inventor of Bitcoin?

Crumpled shirt, old jeans, white sports socks – no shoes. So this is him, Satoshi Nakamoto: a 64-year-old electrical engineer, makes a living as a poll worker and substitute teacher, father of six children, modest circumstances – no shoes. Visibly taken by surprise, namesake Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto was identified by Newsweek magazine in Los Angeles in 2014 as the supposed mastermind behind Bitcoin. Who was just as surprised by it as the rest of the world. Nakamoto says he has never heard of cryptocurrency before. There is no evidence of a connection.

However, rumors persist to this day about his top-secret work as a programmer in the US military in the 1980s. Even if the publication of the Bitcoin Whitepaper under real names does not show much far-sightedness.

Striking parallels?

Smart contract pioneer and creator of the cryptocurrency “Bit Gold”, which was conceived in 1998 but ultimately never implemented: Nick Szabo has everything that is needed for speculation. It is now considered likely that the computer scientist was involved in the development of Bitcoin in some way. But he doesn’t want to be Satoshi Nakamoto. Despite some similarities between Bitcoin and Bit Gold, also in the choice of words in the white paper.

When asked who he thinks could be Satoshi Nakamoto, at least Elon Musk thought the 58-year-old cryptography luminary was suitable. As a figurehead, however, Szabo, who has become more and more entangled in alt-right conspiracy theories in recent years, does not cut a good figure.

The first bitcoin receiver

In addition to Szabo, one name keeps coming up in the inner circle of suspects: Hal Finney – recipient of the first Bitcoin transaction in 2009. The software developer was demonstrably involved in the development of the Bitcoin code, such as messages between him and Satoshi Nakamoto in the Bitcoin Talk Forum occupy.

However, until his death in 2014, Hal Finney, who spent most of his Bitcoin on medical bills due to his ALS illness, denied being the Bitcoin inventor himself. Today that is actually considered impossible. On the other hand, it is undisputed that he was an important person in the genesis of Bitcoin.

Fake it till you make it

If no one else is doing it, you have to do it yourself: Raise the curtain for Craig Wright, probably the most recalcitrant example among the self-proclaimed Bitcoin inventors. Doctorates in computer science, economics and theology, master’s degrees in statistics and international trade law, author, speaker, ambitious Charlie Sheen double – and Bitcoin creator.

Craig Wright is a true all-rounder. At least that’s what Craig Wright claims, who collects academic titles like other stamps. He doesn’t just live out his copy-paste preference when it comes to theses. The eccentric Australian, who made big money with mining in his early years, would also like to take up the cause of Nakamoto’s work.

read too

The alleged evidence was torn up in the Bitcoin community. But that didn’t stop Craig Wright from implementing what he believed to be the actual version of the Bitcoin blockchain with “Bitcoin Satoshi Vision”. And Craig Wright should know. After all, he is Satoshi Nakamoto. At least that’s what Craig Wright claims.

A perfect son-in-law

Lying, cheating, deceiving: I can do that too, Jörg Molt, the “Faketoshi” made in Germany, must have thought. While he isn’t heating up the mood at silver weddings under the stage name DJ Sunlove, the former call center manager with a penchant for a cowboy look is developing cryptocurrencies – which makes sense.

The grandson trick pro with the likeable cheat grin didn’t just pose as Satoshi Nakamoto. He turned it into a business model and stole money from numerous investors, mostly older ones. Molt is also said to have developed a passion for counterfeiting vaccination cards during the pandemic. The bitcoin scammer has since been found guilty and has been jailed for over three years.

“So a man took a shit”

No internet conspiracy bubble without Elon “Dogefather” Musk. The Tesla boss did not qualify as Nakamoto with inventive talent, libertarian views or rudimentary programming skills – but thanks to his infantile humor. If you roll Satoshi Nakamoto’s letters together differently, you get “So a man took a shit”.

A prepubescent joke that fits Musk’s humor – at least that’s what is joked on the social channels. Even if hardly anyone believes in Musk’s theory as the inventor of Bitcoin: he’s always good for a smile.

Disclaimer: This article previously appeared in the October issue of BTC-ECHO Magazine. This way to the shop.