HBO is set to release a documentary this Tuesday that could reveal the long-speculated identity of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
According to leaked details, the documentary will claim that Len Sassaman, a prominent figure in the cypherpunk movement who passed away in 2011, may have been the person behind the pseudonym.
Sassaman’s death, which was ruled a suicide, has led to widespread speculation.
Some believe he took his life to protect Bitcoin from being compromised. The concern stems from the fear that if Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity were ever uncovered, it could pose a threat to Bitcoin and the entire cryptocurrency market. Regulatory bodies like the SEC have suggested that discovering Bitcoin’s creator could potentially lead to the currency being classified as a security, which could disrupt its decentralized nature. Coinbase even listed this scenario as a major risk factor when it went public in 2021.
The documentary has gained attention because notable figures in the Bitcoin community, such as Adam Back, are participating in it. These individuals are typically reluctant to engage in public media, which has sparked curiosity. Their involvement suggests that the findings of the documentary are not seen as a threat to Bitcoin’s future stability.
Whether the claim that Sassaman was Satoshi is true or not, the potential resolution of this mystery could have significant effects on the market.
Large investors who have been wary of the uncertainties surrounding Bitcoin’s origins may feel more confident. Even if the theory isn’t fully substantiated, the documentary could still have a bullish effect on Bitcoin, simply by addressing one of the market’s oldest questions.
