Key Takeaways:
- A new HBO documentary has reignited speculation about the identity of Bitcoin’s creator, with Nick Szabo leading prediction markets as a top contender.
- Szabo’s early work on “Bit Gold” and contributions to blockchain concepts, such as smart contracts, closely resemble Bitcoin’s framework.
- Despite consistent denials from Szabo, the overlap between his work and Bitcoin, along with his private nature, continues to fuel theories linking him to Satoshi Nakamoto.
A new HBO documentary, released on October 8, has reignited debate about the true identity of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, with a strong focus on Nick Szabo as a top candidate.
Szabo, a cryptographer and computer scientist, developed the concept of “smart contracts” and proposed a digital currency called “Bit Gold” in 1998, a precursor to Bitcoin that shared similarities, such as using cryptographic proof-of-work to prevent double-spending.
Szabo’s influence in the blockchain world, his reclusive nature, and his work’s conceptual overlap with Bitcoin have fueled speculation that he might be Nakamoto.
Despite these theories, Szabo has consistently denied being Satoshi, adding to the intrigue.
The documentary has spurred discussions on platforms like Polymarket, where Szabo leads the odds as the most likely candidate.
However, the mystery surrounding Bitcoin’s creator remains unresolved, with Szabo being just one of several figures considered potential contenders.