Who Is Satoshi? Rounding Up The Usual Suspects After Today’s 50 Bitcoin Transaction

Tony "The Bull" Severino

5 years ago

4 mins read

Reason to trust

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed

The highest standards in reporting and publishing

How Our News is Made

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Ad discliamer

Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio.

This morning, a 50 BTC transaction with a UTXO from February 2009 was made, sending the Bitcoin community into a storm of speculation. Was it Satoshi who was moving the coins, or someone close to the original, mysterious creator of the first-ever cryptocurrency?

The discussion has brought back discussion as to who Satoshi actually could be. With who the cryptocurrency’s creator is once again a hot topic, we’re rounding up all of the usual suspects who are commonly thought to be the figure behind the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto.

The Origins of Bitcoin

In early 2009, the first version of the Bitcoin protocol was released on Sourceforge coinciding with the mining of the Genesis block.

The Genesis block and the earliest blocks mined by early Bitcoin miners earned 50 BTC each.

This morning, 50 BTC moved associated with Bitcoin that was mined back in February 2009, just one month after the Genesis block was mined and added to the blockchain.

The movements of funds have caused speculation to run wild across the cryptocurrency space. First, the community believed it could be Satoshi moving the coins. Next, others assert it must be someone associated with the creator of the cryptocurrency.

More rational crypto enthusiasts claim it is likely just an early Bitcoin miner and bears little significance in the overall grand scheme.

Whatever the meaning behind it or who the sender is, it has revived discussion about who the creator of Bitcoin may be.

And while we may never know who exactly Satoshi Nakamoto is or they are, here is a list of the most commonly accused or associated with being the creator of Bitcoin.

Meet The List of People Who Have Been Said to Be Satoshi Nakamoto

Craig Wright

Dr. Craig Wright has long laid claim to being the creator of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin SV frontman has been challenged to then move some of the BTC supply said to be held by the real Satoshi to prove the claims.

Wright has yet to access this Bitcoin. However, in a strange turn of events, the 50 BTC sent this morning has been tied to Wright in some way.

Court documents highlighting the wallet addresses owned by Wright include the early Bitcoin address that moved 50 BTC today.

This in no way proves Wright is Satoshi, or if he even owns the account. Wright is currently being accused of defrauding Dave Kleiman’s estate of a massive sum of Bitcoin and various intellectual property rights.

Paul Le Roux

Last year, a conspiracy theory surfaced involving a cartel boss programmer turned DEA informant.

The theory claimed that South African crime kingpin Paul Le Roux created Bitcoin as a way to launder money. Le Roux was not only a cartel boss, but he had extensive experience with encryption technology used in cryptocurrencies.

Adam Back

Adam Back is the CEO of Blockstream and a lead Bitcoin developer. But prior to this, Back invented Hashcash, considered to be a precursor to Bitcoin.

Hashcash brought the concept of proof-of-work to the world, which later inspired the blockchain technology powering BTC.

Back even now is regularly accused of being Satoshi Nakamoto. And while Back is certainly flattered, he denies the claims.

Nick Szabo

Nick Szabo is also among the earliest supporters of digital currencies. Szabo had designed a digital currency called Bit Gold, said to be a direct precursor to Bitcoin’s technology.

The currency got its name because Szabo was as closely as possible “trying to mimic” the “security and trust characteristics of gold” but have it exist in cyberspace. Sound familiar?

Hal Finney

The late Hal Finney was a computer scientist and developer for PGP Corporation focusing on “pretty good privacy.” He was an early contributor to Bitcoin and was among the first to run the client. He also received the first BTC transaction from Nakamoto himself, or so it is said.

Finney is the most likely candidate out of everyone to actually be Nakamoto, but he denied it up until his passing.

Dorian Nakamoto

Dorian Nakamoto is often used as the face of Satoshi, due to a Newsweek report identifying a Japanese California man as having been born with the name Satoshi Nakamoto.

Coincidentally, Nakamoto worked as a systems engineer for tech and finance firms. And even more unusually coincidental, Finney and Nakamoto both lived in Temple City, California at one point.

It’s speculated that either the two conspired together to create Bitcoin, Finney created it and used the Nakamoto name or some other scenario where the two merged their visions for what the cryptocurrency ultimately became together.

There’s potential that the crypto asset was created by any person on this list or some combination of them. We may never know who Satoshi Nakamoto is or was, but their legacy will live on forever through Bitcoin.

Tony "The Bull" Severino

Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is a distinguished figure in the cryptocurrency analysis sector, renowned for his in-depth technical expertise and innovative approach to market trends. As the Head of Research at NewsBTC, Tony leads a team dedicated to providing cutting-edge insights and forecasts, helping both novice and experienced traders navigate the complexities of the crypto market.
A seasoned Chartered Market Technician, Tony's prowess in identifying and capitalizing on market patterns is unmatched. His academic and professional journey in market analysis has firmly established him as a leading authority in technical trading strategies. Tony’s approach is heavily influenced by the principles of Elliott Wave Theory, a method known for its rigorous assessment of investor psychology and price movements.

Beyond his role at NewsBTC, Tony is the visionary founder of CoinChartist.io, an educational platform aimed at demystifying the nuances of cryptocurrency trading. CoinChartist.io serves as a valuable resource for traders seeking to enhance their technical analysis skills. The platform offers a range of learning tools and resources designed to empower traders with the knowledge to make informed trading decisions.

In addition to his educational initiatives, Tony is a prolific author and a dominant voice in the crypto community. He writes the CoinChartist VIP newsletter, a weekly dispatch that has become a staple among crypto enthusiasts, revered for its insightful analysis and actionable trading advice. This newsletter has consistently ranked as a best-seller on SubStack, boasting thousands of subscribers who rely on Tony’s expertise to guide their trading strategies.

Tony is also celebrated for his literary contributions to the field. He is the author of the highest-rated Crypto Trading Journal on Amazon.com, a testament to his ability to communicate complex trading concepts in an accessible manner. This journal is widely regarded as an essential tool for traders aiming to track their progress and refine their strategies.

Before his ascent in the financial analysis world, Tony honed his skills in journalism. His background in this field has endowed him with a unique ability to present intricate market dynamics in a clear and compelling manner, making his insights highly sought after by a broad audience that ranges from casual readers to professional traders.
His professional affiliations underscore his commitment to excellence and continuous learning. As a partner of Elliott Wave International and TradingView, Tony collaborates with other leading experts to enhance his knowledge and skills. His active membership in the CMT Association further aligns him with the highest standards of industry practices and ethics.

Tony’s nickname, "The Bull," aptly reflects his aggressive and optimistic outlook on the cryptocurrency markets. His forecasts often anticipate significant upturns, earning him a reputation for bullish predictions that have frequently led to lucrative outcomes for those who follow his advice.

In summary, Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is more than just a technical analyst; he is a mentor, educator, and innovator whose influence in the cryptocurrency space continues to grow. His dedication to advancing the understanding of market forces and his commitment to providing high-quality, reliable analysis make him a pivotal figure in the world of cryptocurrency trading.