Despite claiming that the upcoming documentary will name Sassaman as the Bitcoin developer, bettors on Polymarket are not ruling out other possibilities.
For more than a decade, Bitcoin enthusiasts, cryptographers, and investigative journalists have debated the identity of the elusive individual – or group – behind the creation of the world’s leading cryptocurrency. Now, a new HBO documentary is poised to lift the veil, with mounting speculation that Len Sassaman, a respected software engineer and privacy advocate who passed away in 2011, might be the real Satoshi Nakamoto.
On Friday, October 4, CoinDesk reported that crypto users on Polymarket, a decentralized prediction market, betted that the HBO special, directed by Cullen Hoback, the filmmaker behind the QAnon exposé Q: Into the Storm, will name Sassaman as the real Bitcoin creator.
Why Sassaman?
The bettors believe that the timing of Sassaman’s death in 2011, which coincided closely with Nakamoto’s sudden disappearance from public communication, is proof that Sassaman is the real Bitcoin creator. They suggested that his passing could explain why Nakamoto ceased all activity and communication since his last message in December 2010.
The pseudonymous Bitcoin creator shared a message in a Bitcoin forum, cautioning against Bitcoin’s early association with WikiLeaks, before vanishing.
Nakamoto also noted that they were moving on to other things. “I had a few other things on my mind (as always). […] I’ve moved on to other things. It’s in good hands with Gavin and everyone.”
Just months after the last message from the Bitcoin creator, Sassaman tragically took his own life, leading some to connect the two events. For those betting on Polymarket, these two events definitely prove that Sassaman is the Bitcoin creator.
However, without direct proof—such as a cryptographic signature from one of Satoshi’s known Bitcoin wallets—this remains speculative.
Bitcoin Creator Could Remain Anonymous
Despite claiming that the upcoming documentary will name Sassaman as the Bitcoin developer, bettors on Polymarket are not ruling out other possibilities.
About 32% those who voted on the contracts believes there is a chance that the documentary will name an entirely new figure or multiple people as Bitcoin’s creator. Additionally, another contract on Polymarket suggests there is an 89% likelihood that Satoshi’s identity will not be definitively proven in 2024, regardless of the revelations in the documentary.
The upcoming documentary promises to explore not only the technical brilliance behind Bitcoin but also the personal stories of those who may have been involved in its creation. The documentary will delve into the complex world of cryptography, the cypherpunk movement, and the early days of Bitcoin’s development.
The Legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto
Meanwhile, over the years, the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has fascinated and perplexed the world ever since the Bitcoin whitepaper was published in 2008 under the pseudonym. Since then, Bitcoin has grown from a niche cryptographic project to a trillion-dollar financial asset, challenging traditional financial systems and governments.
Yet, Nakamoto’s identity remains a mystery. Whoever Nakamoto is, they are estimated to control around 1.1 million Bitcoin, worth approximately $66 billion at current prices, making them one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet.
However, the funds have remained untouched since the early days of Bitcoin, leading many to wonder if Nakamoto is even alive or if they have lost access to the private keys that control the fortune.
Their disappearance has led to several individuals such as Australian computer scientist Craig Wright coming out to cash in on the fame. Despite his assertions, Wright has consistently failed to provide verifiable proof, leaving the mystery unsolved.
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