In a recent turn of events, Nick Szabo, a prominent American computer scientist, has emerged as the leading candidate on Polymarket for the title of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin , ahead of the release of HBO’s documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery.” Szabo, widely recognized as the inventor of the innovative but ultimately unsuccessful cryptocurrency network Bit gold , is currently assigned a 27.9% probability of being named Nakamoto in the documentary, eclipsing former frontrunner Len Sassaman, who now stands at 14%. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, trails behind with 4.3% odds.
Initially, Sassaman held a commanding position, even reaching 68% odds shortly after the betting market opened on October 4. However, his chances took a hit following statements from Cullen Hoback, the producer of the documentary, who indicated he had personally confronted a candidate he believes to be the true Satoshi Nakamoto, which casts doubt on Sassaman’s viability as he passed away in 2011. This revelation has caused significant speculation about who could indeed be Bitcoin ’s elusive creator, with Hoback emphasizing the importance of identifying Nakamoto, especially for those still engaged in the cryptocurrency landscape.
While Szabo’s Bit gold , which never saw the light of day, served as a precursor to Bitcoin , incorporating elements such as a peer-to-peer network, proof-of-work mining, and sophisticated cryptography, he has consistently denied claims of being Nakamoto. The documentary promises a focused conclusion, with Hoback suggesting that it will name a single individual as the creator of Bitcoin .
The documentary is set to premiere on October 9, at 2:00 AM UTC, stirring excitement and speculation within the cryptocurrency community about the identity of its enigmatic founder. Other candidates like Hal Finney and jailed programmer Paul Le Roux hold minimal odds, with the “Other/Multiple” category leading at 37%, indicating the uncertainty surrounding Nakamoto’s identity remains deeply entrenched.
