Bitrabo Editorial
The Bitcoin community is abuzz with excitement as HBO gears up to release its documentary titled, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery.” This film claims to reveal the true identity of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. The documentary is set to premiere on Wednesday, October 8, 2024, at 2 am CET (Tuesday, 9 pm EST).
Directed by Emmy-nominated Cullen Hoback, who previously gained recognition for his investigative work in “Q: Into the Storm,” this documentary is expected to take audiences on a captivating adventure into Bitcoin’s origins. Hoback’s past successes have led many to believe he might unravel the mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto.
A captivating teaser shared on X by Hoback stated: “Some of you might wonder why I went off the radar. Well, I was on the hunt for someone else who vanished. Want to know who’s behind Bitcoin? #MoneyElectric: The Bitcoin Mystery premieres next Tuesday. It’s going to be quite the ride.”
Speculations About Bitcoin’s Creator
This announcement has sparked considerable speculation online, with many curious if Hoback has truly revealed the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Despite the buzz, the Bitcoin community remains generally doubtful.
Respected crypto analyst Pierre expressed skepticism on X, stating, “An entire industry of experts couldn’t figure out who Satoshi is for 15 years, so do we really believe that journalists have cracked the case?” Dennis Porter, CEO of the Satoshi Act Fund, shared similar feelings, saying, “HBO did not discover Satoshi’s identity. The trailer is impressive, though.”
Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser dismissed the documentary, proclaiming: “SPOILER ALERT. No, they don’t. This is just a rehash of outdated Bitcoin theories from 2016.”
The film has also drawn commentary from podcast host and crypto specialist Peter McCormack, who pointed out the ethical considerations of revealing Satoshi’s identity: “Satoshi gifted the world Bitcoin but chose to stay anonymous—this decision deserves respect. Revealing who they are could be irresponsible or even dangerous.”
However, not everyone has reacted negatively. Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3 and a participant in the documentary alongside early Bitcoin advocate Adam Back, noted the potential benefits of the film: “With ~100 million HBO subscribers, there’s an opportunity for them to learn about Bitcoin. Whether #MoneyElectric reveals the identity of Satoshi or not, showcasing Bitcoin alongside programs like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos is fantastic.”
The anticipation has led to many theories about who Satoshi might be. German crypto YouTuber Furkan Yildirim speculated: “Bold prediction: HBO believes it knows who Satoshi Nakamoto is. […] Who do you think they are revealing? I predict it’s tied to either China or Russia.”
In contrast, bettors on Polymarket have different predictions, with Len Sassaman being favored with 45% of the votes at the time of writing.
The quest to uncover Satoshi Nakamoto has fascinated many since Bitcoin’s whitepaper was published in 2008. Some of the frequently mentioned candidates include Hal Finney, a noted cryptographer and the first person to use BTC apart from Satoshi; computer scientist Nick Szabo; and Hashcash creator Adam Back. All have denied being Satoshi.
It’s worth noting that Hal Finney passed away on August 28, 2014, leaving no chance to respond. After new communications attributed to Satoshi emerged in the Craig Wright case, Adam Cochran, a partner at CEHV, suggested earlier this year that he has always believed Hal Finney played a significant role in the Satoshi Nakamoto identity, supported by one or two minor contributors. Recent emails bolster this theory considerably.
As of now, Bitcoin is trading at $61,550.
