HBO's alleged creator of Bitcoin, Peter Todd: I'm Not Satoshi Nakamoto

Bittime - The highly anticipated documentary, Money Electric: The Mystery of Bitcoin, just aired on October 8. The film shocked the crypto world by identifying Canadian software developer Peter Todd as Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. However, Todd firmly denied these claims.

This documentary, produced and directed by Cullen Hoback, tries to trace the origins of Bitcoin and reveal the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Hoback himself was previously known through the HBO documentary series Q: Into the Storm, which claims to have exposed several QAnon conspiracy theories. 

This time, he presents an in-depth investigation into the history of Bitcoin, which led to Todd's appointment as the figure behind the name Satoshi Nakamoto.

The Reason Peter Todd Is Satoshi Nakamoto

According to DB News, the approximately 100-minute documentary presents several reasons that make them believe that Peter Todd is the creator of Bitcoin. Here are some of the reasons mentioned:

1. In 2010, Todd with a new account responded to Satoshi Nakamoto on a Bitcoin forum, bitcointalk; HBO claims that Todd inadvertently continued the discussion Satoshi started using his personal account.

2. After a few days, both Todd's account and Satoshi Nakamoto's account became inactive.

3. Todd then implemented the “Replace-by-Fee (RBF)” concept previously discussed in Satoshi's article.

4. The documentary also claims that Todd used the pseudonym "John Dillon" to promote the RBF concept.

5. Both, Satoshi and Todd, use English/Canadian spelling in their writing.

6. Satoshi Nakamoto's publication schedule in the forum is said to be consistent with that of a college student, with more activity on weekends.

7. Todd once discussed "sacrificing" Bitcoin, which the documentary interprets as destroying Satoshi Nakamoto's coins.

Balso: HBO to Release Documentary about Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin Creator!

Peter Todd Denies Allegations

However, Peter Todd firmly denied these accusations. In an email sent to CoinDesk Before the film aired, Todd stated that if Cullen Hoback identified himself as Satoshi Nakamoto, it would be "absurd" and that Hoback "should seek immediate medical attention."

"Of course, I'm not Satoshi Nakamoto," Todd said. 

"It's ironic to see a director who is known for making documentaries about QAnon instead using a QAnon-style conspiracy mindset that is based on pure coincidence."

In the documentary, Hoback tries to confront Todd with his theory about how and why Todd hid his involvement in the creation of Bitcoin. Todd responded to Hoback's statement by dismissing it, even showing a bitter smile while shaking his head.

"I admit, you're quite creative. You can make crazy arguments, it's very silly," Todd says in the film. 

"But I would say, yes, of course I am Satoshi Nakamoto, and I am also Craig Wright."

Read also: New Documentary Reveals the Figure Behind the Name Satoshi Nakamoto, the Creator of Bitcoin

It was clear that Todd was just joking, not confessing. Todd once made a similar joke in a 2019 interview with Peter McCormack, the podcast host What Bitcoin Did, where he says, "I am Satoshi Nakamoto, and so is everyone else."

Film about the creator of Bitcoin attracts attention

This documentary has indeed attracted attention, but the claims it makes still raise many questions. The crypto world has long been dotted with speculation about who Satoshi Nakamoto really is. To this day, the true identity of Bitcoin's creator remains one of the biggest mysteries in the history of technology and finance.

Hoback's efforts to reveal who Satoshi really was, although controversial, at least succeeded in drawing wider public attention to the origins of Bitcoin. However, the claims in the documentary still require stronger evidence, and not everyone easily accepts the theories presented.

For Todd, this accusation is just part of the various baseless speculations that often appear in the crypto world. He remains consistent in his denial and considers all these conspiracy theories as mere entertainment, not facts. 

Meanwhile, crypto viewers and fans must filter existing information wisely, and continue to question any claims that have not been proven to be true.

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