Canadian cryptographer and computer scientist Peter Todd has reportedly gone into hiding, fearing for his safety after being named as the potential inventor of Bitcoin in the HBO documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery.”
Aired on October 9, the film delves into the identity of “Satoshi Nakamoto,” the pseudonymous figure believed to have created Bitcoin.
While exploring various candidates, the documentary concluded with Todd ambiguously stating, “Well yeah, I’m Satoshi Nakamoto,” which has led to significant backlash and concern for his well-being.
Todd has strongly denied being Nakamoto, claiming he was portrayed in the film. In a recent interview, he stated that director Cullen Hoback utilized deceptive material to get this incorrect conclusion, stating that such misinformation risked his life.
Todd emphasized the dangers of falsely identifying someone as Nakamoto, stating that it exposes individuals to threats like robbery and kidnapping. He views this as a serious concern, given Nakamoto’s intention to remain anonymous for valid reasons.
The documentary’s premise caused debate, particularly since Todd has a history of humorously declaring “I am Satoshi,” a reference to the iconic line from the film “Spartacus.”
While these remarks were made in fun, others have construed them as serious assertions of identification, complicating Todd’s situation. He clarified that he decided to participate in the documentary because he believed it would chronicle Bitcoin’s history rather than attack him as a suspect.
Hoback argues that Todd and others have overstated the risks of identifying Nakamoto. He believes that knowing who controls a significant portion of Bitcoin is vital for the cryptocurrency community. Hoback claims that the potential threats from such revelations have not yet emerged, framing his investigation as essential for transparency in the industry.
“There’s potentially this anonymous figure out there who controls one-twentieth of the total supply of digital gold,” Hoback stated, emphasizing that discovering this person’s identity is “quite significant.”
Todd’s safety concerns underscore the broader implications of identity and anonymity in the cryptocurrency space, prompting questions about filmmakers’ and media’s responsibilities in addressing sensitive topics.
