In the HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, director Cullen Hoback suggested that the pseudonym of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto was actually former Bitcoin Core developer Peter Todd. Todd himself denied this claim.
The nearly two-hour film features interviews with people and examines evidence that points to Todd, who told CoinDesk that Hoback is “clutching at straws.”
The film provides circumstantial evidence pointing to Todd:
His interest in cryptography began at a young age.
Relationship with famous cypherpunk Adam Back.
Having technical skills.
Satoshi's use of British/Canadian writing style and the fact that Todd is from Canada.
Todd's response to Satoshi's post on a public forum in 2010. Hoback claims that Todd initially posted from Satoshi's account, and then wanted to continue his thought, but forgot to re-login and posted from Todd's account.
"I admit, you're pretty creative. You come up with some crazy theories. It's funny. But I'll say, yeah, sure, I'm Satoshi. And I'm Craig Wright," Todd noted ironically during a dialogue with the director.
It was clearly a joke, not a confession.
Todd was at the forefront of Bitcoin's development, but has never been the prime suspect for Satoshi Nakamoto. Figures like Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and Back are more commonly suggested as the creator of the first cryptocurrency.
