HBO Documentary Claims Peter Todd Is Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto, But He Denies It

Updated: 09 October 2024

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Bitcoin core developer Peter Todd has denied claims that he is Satoshi Nakamoto after an HBO documentary suggested that he is Bitcoin’s mysterious creator.

Todd told CoinDesk in an email that filmmaker Cullen Hoback “was grasping for straws” in the documentary, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” which aired last night.

“Of course, I’m not Satoshi,” he added. “It’s ironic that a director who is also known for a documentary on QAnon has resorted to QAnon style coincidence-based conspiracy thinking here too.”

Hoback Confronts Peter Todd With Theories He Is Satoshi Nakamoto

In the documentary, Hoback confronted Todd and shared his theory on why he believes Todd opted to keep his involvement in Bitcoin’s creation a secret. Todd responded by shaking his head and laughing at Hoback’s assertions.

I like Peter Todd. I wish he was Satoshi. But this is just sloppy joirnalism. pic.twitter.com/q2CEuhRLvh

— Beanie (@beaniemaxi) October 9, 2024

“I will admit, you’re pretty creative,” Todd said to Hoback. “You come up with some crazy theories. It’s ludicrous. But I’ll say, yeah, of course I’m Satoshi. And I’m Craig Wright.”

No Firm Evidence That Todd Is Satoshi Nakamoto

The documentary explored the history of Bitcoin and other crypto projects that followed. However, it presented no concrete evidence that Todd is indeed Satoshi.

Todd’s early interest in cryptography, his relationship with Adam Back, his technical ability and the British/Canadian spellings Satoshi used juxtaposed with the fact that Todd is Canadian was all brought up in the film as circumstantial evidence.

In 2010, Todd also responded to a Satoshi post on a public forum. This, according to Hoback, is the most tangible evidence that Todd is Bitcoin’s creator.

The filmmaker believes this post was a continuation of Satoshi’s post, and argued that Todd accidentally used an account with his name instead of Satoshi’s on this occasion.