HBO Documentary Suggests Bitcoin Creator Could Be Canadian Developer Peter Todd

A new HBO documentary claims to have revealed the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious figure behind Bitcoin, one of the digital world’s most enduring enigmas. The documentary, Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, points the finger at Peter Todd, a relatively unknown Canadian software developer who was involved in the early days of Bitcoin. This bold claim is the latest in a series of attempts to uncover the true identity behind the world’s first cryptocurrency.

Ad

The Unsolved Puzzle of Bitcoin's Creator

For over 15 years, the name Satoshi Nakamoto has carried an air of mystery. The identity of the person or group responsible for creating Bitcoin has been the subject of much speculation. Despite Bitcoin’s meteoric rise to prominence, Nakamoto’s identity has never been confirmed.

The documentary suggests that Todd, now 39, may have been more involved in the creation of Bitcoin than previously thought. Todd was an early contributor to discussions around Bitcoin's development, but could he have been hiding behind the pseudonym Nakamoto all along?

Advertisement

Nakamoto’s Vanishing Act

Nakamoto communicated with other early Bitcoin enthusiasts through online forums and email, explaining his vision for a decentralized currency. He was actively involved in the development of Bitcoin until 2011, when he abruptly disappeared, leaving behind a final message. Since then, no one has heard from Nakamoto, and many have tried—and failed—to reveal his identity.

Money Electric digs deeper into Nakamoto’s interactions with key figures from the early Bitcoin days, including Todd. Filmmaker Cullen Hoback speculates that cryptic messages exchanged between Todd and Nakamoto indicate they may be the same person. The documentary also notes that both Nakamoto and Todd used a mix of British and Canadian spellings, which some see as a potential clue to their connection.

Todd Denies the Claim

Despite the speculation, Peter Todd laughs off the suggestion. In the documentary, he jokes that the idea is “a crazy theory,” and playfully responds, “You’re pretty creative,” when confronted with the claims. He later took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down the rumors, stating simply, “I’m not Satoshi.”

This isn't the first time someone has been wrongly identified as Nakamoto. Over the years, several high-profile figures have been named, but none have been definitively proven to be Bitcoin’s creator. Early Bitcoin contributors like Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and Adam Back have all been candidates in the ongoing search, but all have denied being Nakamoto.

The Untouched Bitcoin Fortune

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Nakamoto mystery is the enormous fortune tied to the creator’s identity. It is believed that Nakamoto’s cryptocurrency wallets hold roughly 1 million Bitcoin, currently worth over $60 billion. Remarkably, none of these funds have been moved or accessed since Nakamoto’s disappearance. If the true Nakamoto were ever revealed, they would instantly become one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Past Attempts to Reveal Nakamoto

The hunt for Nakamoto has led to many misidentifications over the years. In 2014, Newsweek mistakenly reported that Dorian Nakamoto, a Japanese-American living in California, was the creator of Bitcoin. Dorian denied any involvement with the cryptocurrency, and the story created a media frenzy.

In 2016, Australian computer scientist Craig Wright claimed he was Nakamoto, a declaration met with widespread skepticism. Wright's legal battles continue, as he has sued rival developers for defamation after they questioned his claims. Earlier this year, a High Court judge ruled that Wright was not Nakamoto, accusing him of fabricating evidence to support his claim.

Could Todd Be Nakamoto?

The theory that Peter Todd, who was just 23 when the Bitcoin white paper was released, could be Nakamoto has raised eyebrows within the cryptocurrency community. Many experts remain skeptical, questioning whether Todd could really have been behind Bitcoin’s creation. In the documentary, Todd dismisses the idea as “ludicrous,” jokingly adding, “Of course I am Satoshi Nakamoto, and I’m Craig Wright too.”

The Ongoing Mystery

The mystery of Bitcoin’s creator remains unsolved, and each new theory only adds to the intrigue. While Money Electricoffers a new angle by pointing to Todd, the evidence is far from conclusive. For now, the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto continues to elude discovery, leaving the world to wonder who is really behind the groundbreaking cryptocurrency.

As long as Nakamoto’s fortune remains untouched and the puzzle unsolved, the fascination surrounding Bitcoin’s origin story will endure.

Also Read: HBO Documentary Claims to Reveal Bitcoin's Mysterious Creator: Is Satoshi Nakamoto Finally Unmasked?