A new HBO documentary is set to reveal the identity of Bitcoin's anonymous founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, in what could be the financial mystery of the century, Politico reports.
If proven true, this statement would end years of speculation about the person or group behind the world's most revolutionary digital currency.
Satoshi Nakamoto, who disappeared from public view in 2010, is estimated to have $67 billion worth of Bitcoin and is among the richest people in the world. Excitement is building with the documentary set to be released on October 8, and even a Polymarket prediction pool has opened, allowing users to make predictions about who Satoshi will be.
Here are the top four candidates based on speculation and Polymarket odds:
Len Sassman
Polymarket tahminlerinin %50 ile spekülasyonların başını, dijital gizlilik savunucusu ve kriptograf Len Sassman çekiyor. Sassaman, Bitcoin’in felsefesinin merkezinde yer alan idealler olan merkeziyetsizliği ve devlet gözetimine karşı direnişi teşvik eden cypherpunk hareketine derinden dahil oldu.
A 2021 study by Evan Leung Hatch revived discussions about Sassaman’s possible identity as Satoshi. The study noted Sassaman’s use of British English, his cryptographic expertise, and his connection to another top candidate, Hal Finney. While the parallels between Sassaman’s work and Bitcoin are striking, no conclusive evidence has emerged to support this theory. Sassaman tragically passed away in 2011.
Hal Finney
Hal Finney, a respected cryptographer and early Bitcoin adopter, has an 11% chance of winning on Polymarket. Finney was the recipient of Satoshi Nakamoto’s first Bitcoin transaction and his work on “Reusable Proof of Work” formed the basis of Bitcoin’s consensus algorithm.
Although Finney denied being Nakamoto in 2014, many still suspect his involvement due to his close connection to Bitcoin’s development. Finney was diagnosed with ALS in 2009, and his deteriorating health has fueled theories that he may have been hiding behind the Satoshi alias. Finney passed away in 2014, but his legacy in the cryptocurrency space lives on.
Adam Back
Blockstream CEO Adam Back has a 6% chance of winning the Polymarket. Back is known for creating Hashcash, a Proof-of-Work system that Satoshi directly referenced in the Bitcoin whitepaper. Given his cryptographic expertise and early influence on Bitcoin, some believe Back could be Nakamoto.
However, Back has consistently denied these allegations and even testified against Craig Wright, who claimed to be Satoshi. Despite his denials, many in the cryptocurrency community argue that Back’s technical prowess makes him a suitable candidate.
Nick Szabo
At the bottom of the list, with a 4% chance, is computer engineer and cryptographer Nick Szabo. Szabo developed Bit Gold, a precursor to Bitcoin that shares many of its core principles. His work on decentralized currency and timestamped databases has fueled speculation that he could be Satoshi.
While Szabo has denied being Nakamoto, particularly after a New York Times article raised the possibility, the similarities between his work and Bitcoin, as well as analysis of his writing style, have allowed his name to be confused.
*This is not investment advice.