HBO Documentary to Allegedly Unveil the True Identity of Bitcoin’s Creator, Satoshi Nakamoto

A new HBO documentary, Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, is set to premiere on October 8 at 9 p.m. ET, and promises to delve deep into one of the greatest mysteries in the world of cryptocurrency—the identity of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Directed by Cullen Hoback, the documentary embarks on a thrilling, globe-trotting investigation, exploring the origins of Bitcoin and uncovering new clues about Nakamoto's true identity. Hoback interviews prominent figures in the crypto space, such as Adam Back, Samson Mow, and Peter Todd, offering fresh perspectives on Bitcoin’s rise and the enigma behind its creator.

Len Sassaman: The Alleged Satoshi Nakamoto

The documentary posits that Satoshi Nakamoto might be Len Sassaman, a cryptographer and privacy advocate who passed away in 2011. This theory was highlighted by Alex Thorn, Galaxy Digital’s Head of Research, who also referenced a 2021 Medium article that explores the possibility of Sassaman being Nakamoto. Sassaman’s tragic suicide has added another layer of mystery to the theory, as Bitcoin's creator seemingly vanished from public communication around the time of his death.

Nakamoto’s Massive Bitcoin Holdings

Speculation about Nakamoto’s identity has persisted for years, fueled in part by the sheer scale of his Bitcoin holdings, which are believed to total approximately 1.1 million BTC. At today’s exchange rate, this fortune is worth around $66 billion, making Nakamoto one of the wealthiest figures in the world, assuming the identity is ever confirmed.

Ongoing Debate in the Bitcoin Community

Over the years, several individuals have claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, including Australian computer scientist Craig Steven Wright. However, Wright’s claims have been met with widespread skepticism and lack definitive proof.

The Bitcoin community widely agrees that the only way to conclusively verify Nakamoto’s identity would be through cryptographic proof—specifically, by signing a message using the private keys associated with Bitcoin's early wallets, which belong to the creator. To date, no one has provided such proof, leaving the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto an enduring mystery.

As this new documentary aims to shed light on the question, it reignites the debate surrounding one of the most elusive figures in the digital age. Whether it provides any definitive answers or only deepens the intrigue remains to be seen.