Canadian cryptographer Peter Todd has entered hiding following the release of an HBO documentary that accuses him of being the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, according to an Oct. 22 Wired report.
The film, called Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, aired on Oct. 9 and claimed to reveal Nakamoto’s true identity after years of speculation.
The documentary, directed by filmmaker Cullen Hoback, examines a number of possible contenders for the role of Bitcoin’s creator, ultimately focusing on Todd, who stated in the final scenes of the film:
“Well yeah, I’m Satoshi Nakamoto.”
Todd has since clarified that his statement was taken out of context and that he was joking. He has consistently denied being Nakamoto, calling the claims false and dangerous.
In an interview with Wired, he expressed concern for his safety following the documentary’s release. He emphasized that Nakamoto’s decision to remain anonymous was a deliberate, sensible one and argued that people should refrain from trying to “reveal Nakamoto’s identity.”
He also emphasized the risk, stating:
“Falsely portraying ordinary individuals as extraordinarily wealthy puts them at risk for threats like robbery and kidnapping.”
Todd said he agreed to participate in the documentary because he believed it would explore the history of Bitcoin, not attempt to out its creator. Now, he says, the focus on him has led to safety concerns that prompted him to go into hiding.
While Hoback used footage of Todd jokingly claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto as part of his evidence, Todd compared the moment to the famous scene in the 1960 film Spartacus, where captured warriors each claim to be the leader to protect hide the real leader’s identity.
Todd dismissed the remarks as nothing more than a lighthearted reference to a phrase and sentiment often echoed by many in the Bitcoin community.
Despite Todd’s objections, Hoback has stood by the film’s narrative. In statements made to Wired, Hoback argued that determining Nakamoto’s identity is crucial, given the potential influence the individual holds due to controlling a significant portion of Bitcoin’s total supply.
He said:
“This person controls one-twentieth of all digital gold in existence. It’s essential to know who this is.”
However, the film’s conclusion has failed to sway much of the crypto community, which remains skeptical of the claim that Todd is the true Satoshi Nakamoto. Many view the documentary’s evidence as weak and circumstantial, with little to definitively connect Todd to Bitcoin’s creation.
As the debate continues, Todd has urged respect for Nakamoto’s desire for privacy, warning that speculation about the creator’s identity is not only unproductive but also poses real-world risks.