We still don’t know who is Satoshi Nakamoto. Isn’t this kind of amazing and weird?
Namely, as most people know by now, Satoshi is the name used by the creator of Bitcoin, but as mentioned, no one knows who they (he, she, it?) really are.
This person (or group) created Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, and then disappeared. And this cryptocurrency is now 7th largest asset by market cap on the planet. Only behind Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia and, of course, Gold.
And so, people would expect that someone should know who is behind one of biggest asset in the world. But no!
Many have tried to uncover Satoshi’s true identity. Some think it’s a famous computer scientist. Others believe it could be a team of people or even something stranger.
So, let’s explore ten interesting possibilities. Let’s try to uncover this mystery.
1. Hal Finney
Hal Finney was a really respected computer scientist and a key figure in the development of cryptographic protocols. He was the first person to receive a Bitcoin transaction from Satoshi himself, building theories that he might have created Bitcoin under the pseudonym.
Finney’s expertise in cryptography and his involvement in early Bitcoin discussions make him a pretty strong candidate.
He was known for his coding skills and interest in decentralized systems, which are the backbone of Bitcoin. Finney’s ability to implement secure and complex systems aligns very closely with what Bitcoin required.
Interestingly, Finney lived near a man named Dorian Nakamoto, another suspected Satoshi.
Could the name “Nakamoto” have been inspired by his neighbor? It’s a coincidence that kind of adds fuel to the speculation.
Interesting fact: Hal Finney kept working on Bitcoin even as he battled ALS, typing with the help of assistive technology until his final days.
2. Nick Szabo
Nick Szabo is a computer scientist known for his work on “bit gold,” a digital currency concept that predates Bitcoin. Many believe Szabo’s deep understanding of blockchain technology makes him a prime candidate for Satoshi Nakamoto.
Szabo’s writings about bit gold closely mirror many ideas presented in the Bitcoin whitepaper. His focus on decentralized trust and secure protocols fits perfectly with Bitcoin’s principles.
Some argue that Szabo’s background in law and computer science gave him a very unique perspective, enabling him to create a system that addressed both technical and economic challenges.
Now let’s play with his name and his Hungarian roots.
In Hungarian naming traditions, names are written with the surname first, so Szabo’s name would traditionally appear as Szabó Miklós. This arrangement could phonetically or symbolically inspire the pseudonym “Satoshi Nakamoto,” with “Szabó” adapting to “Sato” and “Miklós” contributing to “shi.”
On the other hand, the surname Nakamoto, meaning “central origin” in Japanese, might symbolize Bitcoin’s foundational principles whereas disguising Szabo’s true identity.
And while Szabo denies being Satoshi, linguistic analyses of Satoshi’s writings show similarities to Szabo’s style.
Interesting fact: Nick Szabo once jokingly said, “I’m not Satoshi, but I’m happy people think I could be.”
3. Dorian Nakamoto
In 2014, Newsweek claimed that Dorian Nakamoto, a retired physicist living in California, was the real Satoshi. Dorian denied the allegations, but the coincidence of his name certainly fueled some speculations.
Dorian’s background in engineering and physics also aligns somewhat with the technical expertise required to create Bitcoin. However, he consistently claimed he had no connection to the project. Some theorists speculate that Dorian’s denial might be a way to avoid the spotlight, but others believe he was simply an innocent man caught in the media’s frenzy.
What if Dorian actually had a secret second life as Satoshi and played dumb to protect his privacy? Or maybe he’s just a regular guy with an unlucky name.
Interesting fact: Dorian’s house was swarmed by journalists after the Newsweek article, forcing him to issue a public statement denying any involvement.
4. Craig Wright
Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist, boldly claimed many times that he is Satoshi Nakamoto. However, his inability to provide conclusive cryptographic proof has led many to doubt his story.
Wright has a background in computer science and cryptography, which fits the profile of Bitcoin’s creator. He also claims to have been part of early discussions about Bitcoin’s development.
However, his aggressive attempts to assert his identity have made him a controversial figure. Critics argue that his lack of solid proof and erratic behavior completely discredit his claims.
Some theorists suggest Wright could be part of a group behind Bitcoin, rather than its sole creator.
But his weird attitude and legal threats have made him one of the most polarizing figures in the crypto world.
Interesting fact: Wright once threatened to sue anyone who called him a fraud.
5. Adam Back
Adam Back is a cryptographer and the creator of Hashcash, a proof-of-work system that somewhat influenced Bitcoin’s design. His expertise in blockchain technology and proximity to early Bitcoin discussions make him a strong contender.
Namely, Back’s creation of Hashcash laid the groundwork for Bitcoin’s mining algorithm. Additionally, his involvement in discussions about digital currencies and his ability to create scalable cryptographic solutions make him a logical candidate.
Yet, Back has consistently denied being Satoshi.
Interesting fact: Adam Back appears in the Bitcoin whitepaper’s references.
6. Wei Dai
Wei Dai is the creator of b-money, a precursor to Bitcoin that shares many conceptual similarities. His early work on decentralized currency systems places him high on the list of potential Satoshis.
Dai’s b-money concept introduced key ideas such as decentralized ledgers and digital contracts. These ideas directly influenced Bitcoin’s design. Satoshi even cited Dai’s work in the Bitcoin whitepaper.
Could Wei Dai have created Bitcoin as an evolution of b-money but kept quiet to avoid unwanted attention? The idea isn’t implausible, especially considering his preference for privacy, but hey who knows.
7. Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s name occasionally surfaces in Satoshi theories. While Musk has repeatedly denied involvement, his background in programming, innovation, and pushing technological boundaries make him a curious possibility.
Musk’s ability to manage large-scale, complex projects aligns with the level of skill required to create Bitcoin. His interest in disruptive technologies and knack for solving big problems make him an intriguing candidate.
While there’s no concrete evidence linking him to Bitcoin, the idea captures the imagination of many.
Imagine Musk launching Bitcoin in secret, then sitting back and watching the world speculate. It actually does sounds like something he’d do for fun.
Interesting fact: Musk once tweeted, “Not true” in response to claims he was Satoshi, but some conspiracy theorists remain unconvinced.
8. A Group of Developers
Some believe Bitcoin’s creation was too complex for one person, suggesting it’s the work of a group. This theory posits that Satoshi Nakamoto could be a collective pseudonym for multiple developers working in unison.
Bitcoin’s complex design, flawless execution, and diverse expertise required suggest the involvement of more than one person. A group could actually explain the seamless integration of cryptography, economics, and computer science.
Sidenote: By our opinion – this is the most plausible explanation.
Interesting fact: No major bugs were found in Bitcoin’s original code, a rare feat for such an ambitious project.
9. Paul Le Roux
Paul Le Roux is a infamous programmer turned criminal mastermind. His advanced coding skills and interest in cryptography make him a left-field candidate for Satoshi Nakamoto.
Le Roux’s history includes developing encryption software and running a massive criminal empire. Some theorists suggest that Bitcoin could have been a tool for money laundering or other illicit activities, later adopted by the mainstream.
Le Roux’s life story really reads like a thriller, making him at least very interesting possibility.
Interesting fact: Le Roux’s life inspired several books. For example: “Hunting LeRoux: The Inside Story of the DEA Takedown of a Criminal Genius and His Empire.”
10. Artificial Intelligence
Now, this is certainly the most interesting possibility. What if Satoshi Nakamoto isn’t a person at all but an advanced AI? Some people speculate that Bitcoin’s creation was the result of an experimental AI system designed to solve economic problems.
The precision, logic, and lack of personal touches in Bitcoin’s whitepaper have led some to think that it could have been generated by AI.
Imagine an AI building Bitcoin, releasing it into the wild, and silently observing its impact. It’s a completely mind-bending scenario, but not entirely impossible.
Additionally, since Bitcoin was released in 2009, that would mean society already then had advanced AI models while we are only recently seeing those models in real life.
What if governments and high-tech secret agencies developed ultra intelligent AI already 15 years ago?
Interesting fact: The idea of AI as Satoshi gained traction after people noticed the technical precision and emotionless tone of the Bitcoin whitepaper.
Other Contenders
Besides already mentioned people or entities, people arund the internet also speculate about following possibilities:
Tim Berners-Lee – The inventor of the World Wide Web has the technical skills and a vision for decentralization. Could Bitcoin have been his secret side project?
Len Sassaman – A cryptographer and privacy advocate who worked on many cryptographic protocols. His untimely death in 2011 aligns with Satoshi’s disappearance.
Gavin Andresen – Satoshi’s chosen successor for Bitcoin development. Could he have staged the handoff to himself for plausible deniability?
Neal Stephenson – A sci-fi writer known for predicting future technologies. His novels describe cryptographic currencies long before Bitcoin existed. Maybe fiction inspired reality.
Ross Ulbricht – Creator of Silk Road. Some theorists believe he might have built Bitcoin to facilitate the dark web marketplace.
Donald Knuth – A legendary computer scientist famous for his algorithmic expertise. If anyone could code Bitcoin’s flawless system, it might be him.
Anonymous Hacktivists – Groups like Anonymous or Wikileaks have the skills and anti-establishment motives to create Bitcoin as a form of digital rebellion.
David Chaum – The creator of DigiCash, an early form of electronic money. His expertise with digital currencies makes him a compelling candidate.
NSA (National Security Agency) – Conspiracy theorists suggest Bitcoin could be a tool developed by a government agency to monitor global financial flows.
Time Travelers – Yes, some believe Bitcoin’s precision and future-shaping impact could mean it was developed by someone from the future. Wild, but fun to imagine!
