Peter Todd Says HBO Documentary Forced Him Into Hiding After Claiming He Is Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto

Updated: 23 October 2024

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Canadian computer scientist and cryptographer Peter Todd says he has been forced into hiding for fear of his personal safety after an HBO documentary claimed that he is Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

“Obviously, falsely claiming that ordinary people of ordinary wealth are extraordinarily rich exposes them to threats like robbery and kidnapping,” Todd said in an interview with Wired.

Peter Todd Says He Is Not Satoshi Nakamoto

According to Todd, he agreed to take part in the documentary because he thought it was going to talk about the history of Bitcoin. But it alleged that he is the real-world identity behind Bitcoin’s mysterious creator. “This was clearly going to be a circus,” Todd said.

The HBO film, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery,” was aired on Oct. 9. Its producer, Cullen Hoback, teased that the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto would finally be revealed, and pointed the finger at Todd. Todd has since repeatedly denied that he is Bitcoin’s creator.

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

— Beanie (@beaniemaxi) October 9, 2024

Despite actively denying being he is Bitcoin’s creator, the computer scientist does have a history of jokingly saying, “I am Satoshi.” However, these statements seem to be a play on the iconic phrase “I am Spartacus” from the popular Spartacus film, not a confession.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity Is A Matter Of Public Interest

Hoback argues that Todd is blowing things out of proportion, and added that plenty of people have been unmasked as Satoshi before and faced no risks to their personal safety.

Hoback says the discovery of Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity is a matter of public interest. If countries intend on adopting BTC in their treasuries or making it legal tender, then Satoshi Nakamoto could become the wealthiest person on earth, according to Hoback.

“The idea that there’s potentially this anonymous figure out there who controls one twentieth of the total supply of digital gold is pretty important,” Hoback said.