Introducing The Bitcoin Founder

Satoshi Nakamoto's compelling thesis and whitepaper began to draw attention. Now, it is recognized as the birthplace of cryptocurrency's mass adoption. Considering the incredible impact of Bitcoin’s existence, it’s only right that crypto investors the world over would like to recognize its creator.

However, it’s not that easy. Satoshi Nakamoto is an elusive character. To this day, nobody can answer the question of who is Satoshi Nakamoto with 100% certainty. However, in this article, we’re going to discuss different theories that have been presented over the years.

So, let’s get down to finding Satoshi Nakamoto.

How Much Bitcoin Does Satoshi Have?

You probably think that the founder of Bitcoin is incredibly wealthy – your assumption is correct. They are one of the wealthiest people in the world.

The great thing about cryptocurrency is its transparency. Thanks to this, anyone is able to see how much Bitcoin is in any wallet and the transactions that have been made using that address.

Satoshi holds around 5% of all mined Bitcoin. 1 Bitcoin, at its all-time high, was $68,789.63, and Satoshi has 1 million in their wallet, so their wealth is astronomical.

What may come as a surprise is that no transactions have ever taken place from this wallet. Since the beginning, Satoshi has been holding this large percentage of Bitcoin, attesting to their belief and dedication to the whitepaper thesis they originally presented.

Satoshi Nakamoto's Net Worth is approximately $30 billion. However, when Bitcoin was at its all-time high in November 20201, Satoshi’s net worth was $75.6 billion.

Who Is Satoshi Nakamoto?

As mentioned, Satoshi Nakamoto is an elusive character. It’s almost certain that they used a pseudonym to author the whitepaper, communicate in forums, and create Bitcoin. To this day, nobody knows if Satoshi is male, female, an individual, or a group.

Unlike other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, whose founder is Vitalik Buterin – a highly public figure, Satoshi disappeared almost as quickly as Bitcoin appeared.

April 26th, 2011, was the last time anyone heard from Satoshi Nakamoto. In their final message, they stated:

“I wish you would stop talking about me as a mysterious shadowy figure. The press just turns that into a pirate currency angle. Maybe instead, make it about the open-source project and give more credit to contributors. It helps motivate them.”

Judging by this message, Satoshi stepped back to give the Bitcoin project more legitimacy and build trust rather than allowing its purpose to be diluted by being led by a faceless, mysterious character.

Sleuths have narrowed Satoshi Nakamoto candidates based on clues

Ok, so we know a few facts about the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto that could narrow down where they have lived and where they’re originally from or educated.

Using time stamps for early Satoshi posts, it’s thought that Satoshi lived in the UK or on the west or east coast of the US. That’s still a vast area to cover, and there’s no concrete evidence of this, but it does narrow the search.

Another piece of evidence in the pursuit of finding Satoshi is their use of British and Commonwealth spellings in their post. An example of this would be adding a U into color/colour.

Finding Satoshi Nagamoto

Hal Finney

Hal Finney, a renowned cryptographer and one of the seminal figures in Bitcoin's early history, had a career deeply rooted in cryptography and digital privacy. Before his involvement with Bitcoin, Finney was known for creating the first reusable proof-of-work system in 2004. This system was a precursor to Bitcoin's proof-of-work consensus mechanism.

Finney's expertise in cryptography extended well beyond Bitcoin. He was also involved in several other digital privacy projects, including the development of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), a widely used email encryption software, contributing to its early versions. His passion for digital privacy and encryption was evident in his work and advocacy.

Relationship with Bitcoin

Finney's relationship with Bitcoin began in its earliest days. He was one of the first to respond to Satoshi Nakamoto’s initial posting of the Bitcoin whitepaper and expressed interest in the project immediately. His early involvement with Bitcoin's development and testing, coupled with his technical expertise, led many to speculate that he might be Satoshi Nakamoto. However, Finney always denied these claims.

In addition to being the first recipient of a Bitcoin transaction, Finney was actively involved in mining Bitcoin in its early stages. His contributions to the Bitcoin code and community were substantial, and he is often remembered for his optimism about the future of cryptocurrencies, making him a top contender to secretly be Satoshi Nakamoto.

Illness Diagnosis and Death

Tragically, Hal Finney was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2009. Despite his illness, he remained actively involved in the Bitcoin community until his health severely declined. Hal Finney passed away on August 28, 2014, but his legacy within the cryptocurrency world remains significant. His foresight, technical contributions, and early belief in Bitcoin's potential have made him a legendary figure in the crypto community.

So, is Hal Finney Satoshi Nakamoto? Unfortunately, due to his passing in 2014, we may never know.

Dorian Nakamoto

Dorian Nakamoto, born in Japan and a naturalized American citizen, had a background as a physicist, system engineer, and model train enthusiast. Before being thrust into the Bitcoin narrative, Nakamoto led a private life, largely unknown to the public or the cryptocurrency world.

Dorian's academic background included a degree in physics from California State Polytechnic University. He spent several years working on classified defense projects, which led him to have a career involving various technology and engineering companies. His skill set was diverse, ranging from computer engineering to environmental science.

Dorian and the Bitcoin Connection

The 2014 Newsweek article that claimed Dorian Nakamoto was actually Satoshi Nakamoto was based on circumstantial evidence, including his background in mathematics and engineering and a few vague statements that were later clarified as misinterpretations. The article's publication caused a media frenzy, leading to a significant invasion of privacy for Dorian and his family.

Dorian’s Denial

In response to this unwarranted attention, Dorian Nakamoto firmly denied that he was Satoshi Nakamoto. He clarified that his statements had been taken out of context and that he had no knowledge or involvement in the creation of the cryptocurrency. The Bitcoin community rallied behind Dorian, raising funds to compensate him for the disruption and distress caused by the media attention. This event highlighted the Bitcoin community's respect for individual privacy and their collective action to rectify an injustice.

Craig Wright

The first person to publicly claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto was Australian computer scientist Craig Wright. However, these assertions have been met with reasonable skepticism.

Before entering the Bitcoin narrative, Wright had a diverse career in the IT sector. He held various positions, ranging from security consultant to researcher. His expertise in digital forensics and cybersecurity was well-regarded, and he authored several papers and presentations on these subjects. Wright also claimed to have multiple academic degrees, including a doctorate in computer science.

Claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto

In 2015, Wright publicly claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, a statement that sparked controversy and skepticism within the cryptocurrency community. This claim was supported by some evidence, including cryptographic keys associated with the early Bitcoin transactions. However, many experts and key figures in the crypto world challenged the validity of this evidence, leading to widespread debate and skepticism about Wright's claim.

Accusations of Fraud and Backlash

Wright's claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto was met with significant backlash and accusations of fraud. Critics pointed out inconsistencies in his story and alleged that some of the evidence he presented was misleading or false. The crypto community largely dismissed his claims, and Wright faced intense scrutiny and criticism from both media and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

Legal Problems

Wright's assertions led to various legal battles, most notably with the estate of David Kleiman, a computer forensics expert who was rumored to have been involved in the early development of Bitcoin. The Kleiman estate sued Wright, claiming that Wright and Kleiman were partners and that Wright owed half of a significant Bitcoin fortune to the estate. This legal dispute brought further attention to Wright's claims and the controversies surrounding them.

Legacy and Current Status

Despite the controversies, Wright remains a notable figure in the cryptocurrency space, often participating in conferences and interviews. He continues to maintain his stance that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, although this claim is widely disputed. Wright's involvement in the crypto community is marked by both his technical contributions and the contentious debates over his identity and the legitimacy of his claims.

Although two magazines published articles speculating he was Satoshi, this theory has been widely unaccepted. However, he still maintains his stance on being Satoshi. He has even copyrighted the Bitcoin whitepaper and early code in the US.

Unfortunately for Craig Wright, this doesn’t act as proof he is Satoshi, as anyone can attempt to copyright anything, especially if there’s nobody to contest the filing.

In Summary

So, who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Honestly, we don’t know. However, there are multiple plausible theories, and many have been debunked. Overall, whether we ever discover their real identity or not, we as a community and society have much to thank them for.

Truly, the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains one of crypto’s most fascinating mysteries. The theories surrounding Hal Finney, Dorian Nakamoto, and Craig Wright have only deepened the intrigue.

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