The release date for HBO’s documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” is drawing closer. Thus, the community has intensified speculation surrounding the true identity of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Scheduled to premiere on October 8, 2024, the film, directed by Cullen Hoback, known for his investigative series “Q: Into the Storm,” has captured significant interest, influencing prediction markets.
Lee Sassaman Becomes Top Candidate for Satoshi Nakamoto Identity
Len Sassaman has emerged as the leading candidate for Nakamoto’s identity on Polymarket, a betting platform. Currently, 51% of participants believe the documentary will reveal Sassaman as the enigmatic creator behind Bitcoin. For further context, Sassaman was a notable cryptographer and privacy advocate, deeply involved in the cypherpunk movement.
Moreover, his contributions included developing various cryptographic tools aimed at enhancing privacy. This background has led many to speculate about his potential connection to the creation of Bitcoin.
Sassaman passed away in 2011, shortly after Nakamoto ceased communicating publicly about the flagship crypto, which has further fueled the narrative linking him to its origins. As the betting market takes lead, Sassaman stands as the most favored candidate among users on Polymarket.
The Other Candidate
However, Sassaman is not the only individual linked to Nakamoto. Hal Finney, a pioneer Bitcoin user who conducted the first BTC transaction with Satoshi Nakamoto, is also a prominent figure in this discussion. Finney’s early involvement with Bitcoin and his cryptographic expertise have led to ongoing speculation regarding his possible identity as Nakamoto.
Currently, Finney holds a 15% probability rating on Polymarket. Interestingly, some participants in the prediction market believe that Nakamoto may not be a single individual but rather a collective. Almost 38% of users are betting that the documentary will either reveal multiple names or leave Nakamoto’s identity undisclosed, indicating the possibility that the creator could be a group rather than a single person.
Reactions to the Documentary
The documentary has sparked a variety of reactions within the cryptocurrency community. Key figures have voiced skepticism about its potential to conclusively determine Nakamoto’s identity. Max Keiser, a well-known BTC supporter, dismissed the documentary as a stockpile of “Bitcoin nonsense.”
Similarly, Peter McCormack, host of a popular crypto podcast, expressed discontent, arguing that the anonymity of Bitcoin’s creator was a deliberate choice made for valid reasons. On the other hand, some in the community view the documentary as an opportunity to introduce Bitcoin to a broader audience.
Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3 and a BTC evangelist, welcomed the film, stating that it would help educate millions of HBO viewers about Bitcoin’s history, regardless of the accuracy of the claims it presents regarding Nakamoto’s identity. Despite the documentary generating substantial buzz, a significant portion of bettors on Polymarket remain skeptical about uncovering Nakamoto’s identity this year.
Another prediction on the platform suggests an 83% probability that the true identity will remain unresolved by the end of 2024. This underscores the enduring fascination with Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity, which has remained a captivating mystery since the release of the Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008.
Also Read: What happens to Bitcoin after Satoshi Nakamoto’s reveal next week?