A new theory has emerged regarding Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious founder of Bitcoin.
Cryptocurrency commentator Fred Krueger, in his assessment, argued that Satoshi Nakamoto may not be a single person, but rather a partnership consisting of Hal Finney and Len Sassaman. Krueger suggested that this is the “most plausible scenario” among the current theories.
According to Krueger, one of the theory’s main supports was the physical inconsistencies in the timeline. He noted that while Satoshi Nakamoto was communicating with developer Mike Hearn via email in 2009, Hal Finney was known to be running a marathon, making it difficult for Finney to be Satoshi alone. Krueger argues that this strengthens the possibility of a second person managing the “Satoshi desk.”
The second pillar of the theory is based on technical expertise. Krueger stated that Hal Finney was a highly skilled C++ developer capable of developing Bitcoin’s infrastructure, but early doubts about Hashcash suggested that the cryptographic vision in the Bitcoin whitepaper might have come from someone else. Len Sassaman’s status as a top-tier cryptography expert is noteworthy in this context.
Language use was also cited as a supporting element for the theory. Noting that Len Sassaman lived in Belgium, Krueger argued that the use of British English expressions like “favour” and “colour” in Satoshi Nakamoto’s writings was closer to Sassaman’s language style. This, it was suggested, could explain details that don’t align with Hal Finney’s American English style.
Krueger also reminded that Satoshi Nakamoto’s last known message was sent on April 26, 2011, and that Len Sassaman passed away just 68 days later. Noting that Hal Finney was experiencing significant physical difficulties due to ALS during the same period, Krueger commented, “When Satoshi’s voice fell silent, his hands were also losing their function.”
The fact that the two previously worked together at PGP Corporation and share the same cypherpunk culture was also cited as another element supporting the theory. According to Krueger, Bitcoin may be the final masterpiece of a legendary partnership, not the work of a single individual.
Krueger concluded by suggesting that the assets in Bitcoin wallets believed to belong to Satoshi will most likely never move. Noting that these assets were worth approximately $800,000 at the time of Len Sassaman’s death and Hal Finney’s progressing ALS condition, Krueger claimed that these Bitcoins “died along with their founders.”
*This is not investment advice.