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Peter Todd, Bitcoin Developer Named as Satoshi Nakamoto in HBO Documentary, Goes Into Hiding
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Shaurya Malwa
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A documentary by Cullen Hoback suggested that Bitcoin developer Peter Todd might be Satoshi Nakamoto, based on his early interest in cryptography, technical skills, and a supposed forum slip-up, though Todd denies these claims.
Todd reportedly went into hiding due to an influx of financial requests and potential threats from those believing he possesses Nakamoto’s fortune, highlighting the real-world dangers of such public allegations.
Peter Todd, the Bitcoin developer alleged to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the network’s pseudonymous creator in the hyped HBO documentary, Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, has reportedly gone into hiding, per Wired.
Todd was revealed as Nakamoto in the documentary shot by Cullen Hoback, who previously identified the face behind the QAnon conspiracy. Todd, however, denied being Nakamoto in an email to CoinDesk.
Hoback’s supposed evidence for Todd being Nakamoto was his interest in cryptography from a young age, his relationship with Adam Back (who actually emailed Nakamoto), his technical ability and British linguistics.
The documentary provided its strongest clue through a 2010 public forum exchange where Todd inadvertently seemed to reply to a post as himself instead of the mysterious Bitcoin creator, suggesting a potential slip-up in identity. Hoback posited this as evidence that Todd might be Nakamoto, although the documentary stopped short of making a definitive claim.
The Bitcoin community has largely brushed off Hoback’s findings. Hoback, however, continues to believe that Todd is indeed Nakamoto.
But the allegations have a serious real world impact.
Todd told Wired that the fallout from the documentary has forced him into hiding. His email has become inundated with requests for financial help – but there’s a threat of “continued harassment by crazy people.”
Personal safety is the number one concern for Todd now in case criminals do believe in him being Nakamoto: Wallets belonging to Nakamoto hold over 1 million BTC worth more than $67 billion at current prices. That puts the unknown persona on a list of the 25 wealthiest people in the world.
“Falsely claiming that ordinary people of ordinary wealth are extraordinarily rich exposes them to threats like robbery and kidnapping,” Todd told Wired. “Not only is the question dumb, it’s dangerous. Satoshi obviously didn’t want to be found, for good reasons, and no one should help people trying to find Satoshi.”
Todd remains active online on his X account.
