Bitcoin's creator has become one of the wealthiest individuals globally, yet their true identity remains unknown. A recent lawsuit filed in Florida, USA, might hold clues to unraveling this enduring mystery.
The Enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto
A report in Le Parisien by Ronan Tézérial and Damien Licata Caruso reveals that if Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator "Satoshi Nakamoto" were included in Forbes' billionaire rankings, they would likely rank as the 15th richest person worldwide.
The intrigue lies in the fact that no one knows the real person behind this alias—a mystery that has grown even more captivating as cryptocurrency values skyrocket in recent years.
The Origins of Bitcoin
The puzzle begins with the emergence of the world’s most famous cryptocurrency. Between 2008 and 2010, Nakamoto designed Bitcoin and developed the Bitcoin Core software.
Beyond maintaining a website, Nakamoto had an online persona and two email addresses but vanished from public view after ceasing communications in late 2020.
As Bitcoin’s prominence grew, speculation about Nakamoto’s identity intensified:
- Is Satoshi a man or woman?
- A lone genius or a team of computer experts?
To date, no definitive evidence has surfaced.
Jean-Paul Delahaye, a computer scientist at the University of Lille, observes:
"The anonymity was likely planned from the start. The founder took extreme measures to avoid exposure—and succeeded. While suspicions exist, they remain unverified."
On the motive behind secrecy, Delahaye adds:
"This wasn’t about creating mystique; anonymity likely served as self-protection rather than a marketing tactic."
A $64 Billion Fortune
Nakamoto’s wealth stems from owning 1.1 million Bitcoin, currently valued at approximately $64 billion.
Manuel Valente, an analyst at CoinHouse, notes:
- "Satoshi could be the world’s wealthiest individual, but their net worth fluctuates with Bitcoin’s price—similar to Elon Musk’s reliance on Tesla stock."
A Lawsuit That Could Reveal the Truth
An ongoing lawsuit in Florida may shed light on Nakamoto’s identity. The family of David Kleiman, who died in 2013, is suing his former partner Craig Wright—a 51-year-old Australian programmer living in London—for a share of Bitcoin assets.
Wright has claimed since 2016 to be Bitcoin’s creator, a statement widely disputed by cryptocurrency leaders. The Kleiman family alleges the duo mined Bitcoin together, entitling them to inheritance rights.
Their attorney, Phil Friedman, told The Wall Street Journal:
"We believe evidence will show their collaboration in creating and mining over 1 million Bitcoin."
Technically, proving Nakamoto’s identity requires presenting the private key to the account holding those coins—something never done since Bitcoin’s 2008 inception.
Who Might Satoshi Nakamoto Be?
Delahaye suggests Nakamoto isn’t Japanese:
- "Timestamps in early work indicate Western (possibly European) activity, and flawless English points away from an Asian origin."
Authors identify 10 potential candidates based on education and language skills, including Hal Finney—the first recipient of a Bitcoin transaction—who passed away in 2014.
Other theories (like involvement by Samsung or Motorola) have been debunked as implausible.
FAQ: Unmasking Bitcoin’s Creator
1. Why does Satoshi Nakamoto remain anonymous?
Anonymity likely protects against legal scrutiny and personal safety risks, given Bitcoin’s decentralized and disruptive nature.
2. How was Nakamoto’s $64 billion fortune calculated?
It’s based on owning ~1.1 million Bitcoin (worth ~$64B at current prices).
3. Could Craig Wright really be Satoshi?
Most experts dismiss Wright’s claims due to lack of cryptographic proof.
4. What happens if Nakamoto’s identity is revealed?
Market volatility could ensue, but Bitcoin’s decentralized design limits any single individual’s control.
5. Has anyone tried to find Satoshi?
Numerous investigations and forensic analyses have failed to confirm a definitive identity.
6. Why is the 2021 Florida lawsuit significant?
It’s the first legal case potentially linking a known individual (Wright) to Bitcoin’s creation.