A recent HBO documentary titled Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery has stirred the crypto community by alleging that Peter Todd, a former Bitcoin developer, is the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. Todd has swiftly denied these claims, criticizing both the filmmaker and the network for their handling of the subject.
In statements made on X (formerly Twitter) and during an interview with CNN—both HBO and CNN are subsidiaries of Warner—Todd firmly rejected the documentary's assertions. "For the record: I'm not Satoshi", he declared, labeling the filmmaker's approach as "irresponsible". Todd expressed concern that such unfounded allegations could endanger his safety, accusing director Cullen Hoback of grasping at straws. "He's amplifying coincidences into something far bigger. Ironically, that's a hallmark of conspiracy thinking," Todd remarked.
Lack of Prior Notification and Consent
Todd revealed that he was neither given an opportunity to view the final version of the documentary before its release nor informed that it would portray him as Nakamoto. Despite participating in an interview for the film, he was unaware of the direction it would take. HBO has yet to respond to CNN's request for comment on the matter.
According to reports from CoinDesk, the documentary concludes with a dramatic scene in which Todd teasingly suggests he is Nakamoto, only to later retract the statement. It's unclear whether this exchange was made in jest or taken out of context. Throughout the film, various experts are consulted, and several clues are presented in an attempt to unmask Nakamoto's true identity.
Director Stands by His Conclusions
In response to Todd's denials, director Cullen Hoback told CNN that he was not surprised by Todd's refutation and stands by the conclusions drawn in the film. Hoback asserted that Todd was fully aware of the content discussed and had ample opportunity to clarify any misconceptions. "He had every chance to explain himself," Hoback stated.
The Ongoing Mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto
The true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been a subject of intrigue since the Bitcoin creator disappeared from the internet in 2010. Over the years, numerous individuals have claimed—or have been speculated—to be Nakamoto. One of the most notable cases involves Australian computer scientist Craig Wright, who has repeatedly asserted that he is Nakamoto but has failed to provide conclusive proof. Wright is currently facing legal issues, including a perjury charge related to his claims.
HBO heavily promoted the documentary ahead of its release, suggesting that it had definitively uncovered Nakamoto's identity. Previously, Hoback directed a film exploring the QAnon movement, where he delved into the origins of the conspiracy theory.
Satoshi Nakamoto is believed to hold approximately 1.1 million bitcoins, amounting to around $66 billion at current market values. Whether Nakamoto is an individual or a group remains one of the biggest mysteries in the cryptocurrency world.
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