finance
New York Times Investigation Identifies Adam Back as Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto; He Denies Claim
The New York Times published an investigation claiming that British computer scientist Adam Back is the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Back, CEO of Blockstream, denied the report through a company statement. The investigation relied on textual analysis and other clues from online cryptography archives.
Apr 8, 4:02 PM·2m read12 sources
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The New York Times released an investigative report on October 8, 2024, asserting that Adam Back, a 55-year-old British computer scientist and CEO of Blockstream, is Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous inventor of Bitcoin. The report followed an 18-month investigation by journalist John Carreyrou, who examined archives of online cryptography communities.
Back's company issued a denial, stating that he has consistently maintained he is not Nakamoto.
The investigation traced clues from Bitcoin's early development, including Back's prior work on Hashcash, a proof-of-work system that influenced Bitcoin's design. Carreyrou analyzed writings and communications from 2008, when Nakamoto published Bitcoin's white paper. The report narrowed candidates through textual similarities and in-person observations.
statement emphasized Back's foundational contributions to Bitcoin without confirming his identity as Nakamoto.
Back, a cryptographer, has been involved in the field since the 1990s and corresponded with Nakamoto during Bitcoin's inception. The New York Times report highlighted specific overlaps in technical language and timing of Back's activities. Other outlets, including CNBC and Fortune, covered the claim but noted skepticism.
Fortune referenced Carreyrou's past reporting but described the evidence as shaky. No other sources independently verified the identity. >"Dr. Adam Back has consistently stated that he is not Satoshi Nakamoto.
the Satoshi Mystery Satoshi Nakamoto has remained anonymous since 2008, when the Bitcoin white paper was released, and disappeared from public view in 2011.
The pseudonym has fueled numerous identity theories over 17 years, involving figures like Hal Finney and Nick Szabo, none confirmed. This marks the latest attempt to unmask the creator, who is estimated to hold about 1 million bitcoins. The Verge described the effort as the latest in a series of unmaskings, relying on textual analysis and personal tells to narrow suspects.
