Editor's Note: In December 2015, Wired published an article suggesting substantial evidence that Satoshi Nakamoto was 44-year-old Australian Craig Steven Wright. Recently, Wright revealed his identity to media outlets like BBC and The Economist, declaring himself the true creator of Bitcoin. Despite lingering doubts, Wired's May 2nd article outlines key evidence from Bitcoin Foundation's Gavin Andresen supporting Wright's claim.
Gavin Andresen’s Pivotal Role in the Verification
When rumors emerged in early April that Australian cryptographer Craig Wright would attempt to prove he invented Bitcoin, Gavin Andresen—Bitcoin Foundation’s chief scientist—was skeptical. As one of cryptocurrency’s earliest developers and Satoshi Nakamoto’s closest collaborator, his opinion carried weight.
Yet after a private meeting with Wright in London, Andresen became convinced. “I believe Craig Wright is Bitcoin’s inventor,” he stated, despite Wright’s publicly flawed evidence.
The Private Demonstration
Andresen detailed how Wright performed cryptographic feats during their meeting:
- Clean-Slate Test: Conducted on a brand-new Windows laptop to eliminate tampering risks.
- Message Signing: Wright signed Andresen’s chosen message (“Gavin’s favorite number is eleven”) using a private key linked to early Bitcoin blocks.
- Verification: The signature matched Nakamoto’s known keys, convincing Andresen of Wright’s authenticity.
“It’s possible I was tricked,” Andresen admitted, “but the evidence was compelling.”
Public Skepticism and Cryptographic Flaws
Despite Andresen’s endorsement, Wright’s public proof faced scrutiny:
- Faulty Signatures: Security experts like Dan Kaminsky found Wright’s blog post reused Nakamoto’s 2009 transaction data, not new cryptographic proof.
- Contradictions: Programmer Patrick McKenzie noted the demo showed sysadmin-level skills but failed to verify Nakamoto’s identity conclusively.
Why the Discrepancy?
Andresen speculated Wright might regret coming forward:
- Emotional Turmoil: Wright appeared “sad” and hesitant during their meeting.
- Credibility Risks: Andresen’s reputation now hinges on Wright’s contested claims.
Key Takeaways
- Core Keywords: Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, Craig Wright, Cryptography, Gavin Andresen, Blockchain, Identity Verification.
- SEO Optimization: Natural keyword integration (e.g., “Bitcoin’s creator” and “cryptographic proof”) avoids stuffing.
FAQ Section
Q1: How did Gavin Andresen verify Craig Wright’s identity?
A: Through a private cryptographic test using early Bitcoin blocks’ private keys.
Q2: Why is Wright’s public evidence disputed?
A: Experts found recycled data and no new cryptographic signatures.
Q3: What’s at stake for Andresen?
A: His professional credibility tied to Wright’s unproven claims.