Bitcoin Founder Candidates Debated

Article by Steller7 - Published: 26/01/2023

Bitcoin, the world's first decentralised digital currency, has captured the attention of the global financial community since its introduction in 2009. The identity of the individual or group who created the cryptocurrency, known only by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, has been the subject of much speculation. While several individuals have claimed to be the true Satoshi, there are two primary candidates who are considered the most likely founders of Bitcoin: Dorian Nakamoto and Craig Wright.

Dorian Nakamoto, a Japanese-American computer engineer and physicist, was outed as the creator of Bitcoin in a 2014 article by Leah McGrath Goodman in Newsweek. Dorian initially denied any involvement in the creation of Bitcoin, but later stated that he had misunderstood the reporter's question and that he had indeed been involved in the development of the cryptocurrency in its early days.

Proponents of Dorian's candidacy argue that his background in computer engineering and physics make him a strong candidate for the role of Satoshi. They also point to his association with the Cypherpunks, a group of cryptography and computer science experts who were interested in the potential of digital currencies.

However, there are also several arguments against Dorian's claim to be Satoshi. For one, Dorian has stated that he is not fluent in the programming languages used to create Bitcoin, which would make it unlikely that he could have been the sole creator of the cryptocurrency. Additionally, many of the early Bitcoin developers have said that they never met or communicated with Dorian.

The second primary candidate for the role of Satoshi is Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist and businessman. Wright publicly claimed to be Satoshi in 2016, and provided some technical evidence to support his claim. However, many experts have criticised the evidence as weak and inconclusive.

Proponents of Wright's candidacy argue that his background in computer science, particularly in the field of cryptography, makes him a strong candidate for the role of Satoshi. They also point to his interest in digital currencies and his association with the Cypherpunks.

However, there are also several arguments against Wright's claim to be Satoshi. For one, many experts have pointed out that the technical evidence he provided is not sufficient to prove his identity as Satoshi. Additionally, Wright has a history of making bold and controversial claims, which has led some to question his credibility.

In conclusion, while several individuals have claimed to be the true Satoshi Nakamoto, Dorian Nakamoto and Craig Wright are considered the two most likely candidates. However, the true identity of the founder of Bitcoin remains a mystery, and it is possible that the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto was used by a group of individuals rather than a single person.