Finding Satoshi claims Hal Finney and Len Sassaman are Bitcoin's creators, based on a four-year investigation.
The recently released documentary Finding Satoshi posits that Hal Finney and Len Sassaman, both prominent cryptographers, are the true identities behind the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, creator of Bitcoin. The film, which debuted on April 22, presents a four-year investigation led by American writer William D. Cohen and private investigator Tyler Maroni.
A central point in the documentary is the analysis of online behavior patterns, suggesting that Finney and Sassaman's activities align closely with those of Satoshi. The investigation indicates that Finney contributed to the technical coding of Bitcoin, while Sassaman was involved in the writing and academic aspects, including the original white paper.
Interviews with notable figures such as Bill Gates, Gary Gensler, and Michael Saylor enrich the film's narrative, which aims to shed light on one of modern finance's greatest mysteries.
Supporting Evidence for the Claims
The documentary offers various pieces of circumstantial evidence favoring Finney, including his role in developing RPOW, an important precursor to Bitcoin, and his proficiency in multiple programming languages. Notably, Finney was the first recipient of Bitcoin from Satoshi, which adds to the film's claims.
For Sassaman, arguments include his academic writing style and connections to the cypherpunk community, as well as his use of British English, which mirrors Satoshi's linguistic choices.
The filmmakers highlight a notable connection between the two men, who worked together in the PGP environment and communicated during Bitcoin's inception in 2008. They also address counterarguments, suggesting that Satoshi's correspondence during a race could support the idea of dual authorship, with one managing coding and the other public communication.
Ongoing Debate and Theories
While the documentary presents compelling theories, directors Tooley and Mile clarify that they do not claim to have definitively identified Nakamoto. The film also discusses why the early Bitcoin holdings of the creator, estimated at 1.1 million BTC, remain untouched, noting that both Finney and Sassaman have passed away.
Reactions to the film have been mixed. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong praised it as a thoughtful analysis, suggesting the filmmakers may have found the right answer. However, some community members, including a user named Cam, expressed skepticism, pointing out Sassaman's lack of familiarity with C++ and his criticism of Bitcoin. Similarly, cryptographer Adam Back remarked that while Finney assisted Satoshi as an early user, that does not equate to co-authorship, raising questions about the plausibility of the documentary's claims.
