Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto's identity revealed in HBO documentary

A new HBO documentary claims to reveal the identity of the elusive creator of Bitcoin.

A new HBO documentary claims to have uncovered the true identity of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. 

If the findings are widely accepted, they could cause significant ripple effects in global financial markets and impact the U.S. presidential election, especially given Republican candidate Donald Trump’s support from Bitcoin enthusiasts.

The documentary, directed by Emmy-nominated Cullen Hoback, who previously gained acclaim for his work on “Q: Into the Storm,” is set to air next Wednesday at 2 a.m. CET (9 p.m. EST on Tuesday). The show promises to reveal the identity behind the pseudonym, which has been one of the internet’s most enduring mysteries since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009.

In the future of money, who holds the power?

The @HBO Original Documentary #MoneyElectric: The Bitcoin Mystery premieres October 8 on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/3gEwTqYaAq

— HBO Documentaries (@HBODocs) October 3, 2024

Bitcoin, a decentralized cryptocurrency, has since become a major financial force, embraced by those skeptical of traditional currency and even used for illegal activities. Nakamoto, who seemingly vanished in 2010 after helping launch Bitcoin, has been a subject of numerous investigations.

Several suspects, including software engineer Hal Finney, computer scientist Nick Szabo, and Australian cryptographer Craig Wright, have been named over the years, but no one has definitively proven their claim.

Wright’s 2016 attempt to prove his identity as Nakamoto ended in controversy and eventual legal troubles. Despite various claims and investigations, many Bitcoin enthusiasts argue that Satoshi’s identity should remain private unless accompanied by irrefutable evidence, such as transferring coins from Nakamoto’s known wallet.

The HBO documentary is poised to reignite debates about one of the world’s most captivating financial enigmas.