Man claims to be Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto at London press conference

A man claims to be Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, sparking skepticism at a press conference held in London on October 31. 

On the 16th anniversary of Satoshi Nakamoto's publication of the Bitcoin whitepaper, Stephen Mollah introduced himself as the elusive Bitcoin founder, but technical issues and unverified assertions cast doubt on his claim.

BBC News cyber correspondent Joe Tidy, who attended the event, reported that organizer Charles Anderson opened the conference, sharing he’d barely slept due to intense global interest.

However, a representative from the Frontline Club clarified that the event was neither endorsed nor affiliated with the venue, prompting at least one journalist to leave. Mollah’s credibility further waned as he made additional claims, stating he had invented energy recovery systems for cars and created the TV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent.’

Attempting a live demonstration to support his identity as Nakamoto, Mollah faced technical difficulties with his laptop, forcing him to continue without it. Instead, he recounted past attempts to disclose his identity and referenced an unverified 2016 interview with the BBC’s Rory Cellan-Jones. Growing frustrated, journalists pressed Mollah for definitive evidence, to which he offered only “easy to fake screenshots.” 

When asked if Mollah would move bitcoins from the Genesis block or provide cryptographic proof, Mollah stated he would do so in the coming months, disappointing the audience further. The press conference, heavily promoted by PR London Live, ultimately failed to deliver the promised “verifiable proof,” leaving Bitcoin’s true creator an enduring mystery.