HBO’s new documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” which aired on October 8th, has sparked heated debate within the crypto community. The film suggests that Canadian Bitcoin developer Peter Todd is Satoshi Nakamoto. However, Todd himself has publicly denied this identification.
As Bitcoinist reported today, in response to the documentary’s claims, several experts have come forward to debunk the theory proposed by director Karen Hoback. The director based his conclusion on four arguments. Among those refuting this claim is Dogecoin co-founder Billy Marcus, known online as Shibetoshi Nakamoto. Marcus said to X, “That’s not Brother Peter Todd.”
When a user asked, “Who is Peter?” Marcus replied, “It’s not Satoshi, unless you’re an idiot.” (…) He is one of the core developers of OG, but he is not the creator. ” Another user pressed further: “So who is Satoshi?” Marcus replied mysteriously, “A non-living person.”
This hint increased speculation within the community. Doge Whisperer (@TDogewhisperer), a well-known Dogecoin community member, asked further questions. “If you had to make an educated guess, who would it be?” Marcus answered bluntly, “Hal Finney and his friends.”
Hal Finney and friends
— Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) October 9, 2024
Are Dogecoin founders right?
Hal Finney was one of the early participants in the Bitcoin network and was a well-known computer scientist and cryptographer. His deep involvement and contributions to cryptography and digital currencies have led some to speculate that he may be Satoshi Nakamoto. There are arguments for and against this possibility.
Finney’s early involvement in Bitcoin is notable. He was the recipient of the first Bitcoin transaction ever made. Satoshi Nakamoto sent him 10 Bitcoins as a test on January 12, 2009. He was also one of the first people to correspond with Satoshi, providing feedback and suggestions on Bitcoin’s code.
His expertise in cryptography and digital cash is well established. Finney was a respected cryptographer who worked for PGP Corporation and helped develop Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). In 2004, it developed Reusable Proofs of Work (RPOW), a predecessor to Bitcoin that addressed the problems of digital scarcity and double spending.
Some analyzes have noted similarities between Finney’s writing style and Satoshi Nakamoto’s, such as British spelling and use of certain phrases. The tone and technical depth of Finney’s communication mirrors that found in Satoshi’s writing. Additionally, Finney lived just a few blocks away from another person presumed to be Bitcoin’s creator, Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto. This coincidence has led some to theorize that Finney may have adopted the name “Satoshi Nakamoto” from his neighbor.
Overall, Finney had the knowledge needed to solve the complex problems Bitcoin addresses, including decentralization, cryptographic security, and consensus mechanisms. As an active member of the cypherpunk mailing list, he was deeply involved in discussions regarding privacy, encryption, and digital currencies.
However, there are also arguments that suggest Hal Finney is not Satoshi Nakamoto. Mr. Finney consistently denied that he was Satoshi until his death in 2014. He claimed to be just an early adopter and contributor and was open about his involvement, sharing email correspondence and Bitcoin wallet information to support his claims.
In August 2009, Finney was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The debilitating nature of the disease would have made it extremely difficult for him to manage and develop Bitcoin while hiding his identity. As the disease progresses, he will lose much of his motor skills, which will interfere with his ability to maintain the rigorous development schedule necessary for Bitcoin’s early growth.
Additionally, Finney had documented email conversations with Satoshi Nakamoto, which would be unusual if they were the same person. While some analyzes may reveal similarities in writing styles, others may highlight differences in communication styles and programming approaches and practices.
At the time of writing, Dogecoin was trading at $0.1089.
Dogecoin price falls below 0.236 Fib 1-day chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on TradingView.com
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