- A VanEck researcher has suggested that Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Square, is the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.
- Matthew Sigel bases his claim on a series of technical parallels, circumstantial links, and uncanny coincidences between Dorsey’s activities and the early development of Bitcoin
- The researcher believes that revealing Nakamoto’s identity could reduce market fears surrounding the potential impact of Satoshi’s significant Bitcoin holdings
A researcher from investment firm VanEck has posited that Jack Dorsey may be the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Asset Research at the company, posted a lengthy thread on X yesterday which used various connections between Satoshi and Dorsey, including overlapping timelines and shared interests in cryptography, to suggest Dorsey’s potential role in Bitcoin’s inception. The reaction from the Bitcoin community was mixed, with some praising his research and others opining that the secret should be left alone.
Sigel Presents His Case
Sigel’s assertion is built upon a combination of technical parallels and circumstantial evidence linking Dorsey to Bitcoin’s creation. He highlights that during the months leading up to the release of the original Bitcoin whitepaper in 2008, Dorsey was in Japan and had posted a link to a cryptography manifesto website called “cr.yp.to.”
At the same time, Satoshi had emailed the creator of HashCash, Adam Back, from an anonymous email to notify him of an upcoming paper. Additionally, the Bitcoin.org domain was registered by an anonymous contact in Tokyo, aligning with Dorsey’s known location during that period.
Other compelling arguments include:
- Bitcoin.org was registered by an anonymous entity in Tokyo in August 2008, which coincides with Dorsey’s known presence in Japan around that time. If Satoshi Nakamoto were in Japan while launching Bitcoin, it strengthens the connection to Dorsey.
- In 1996, Dorsey was one of the 1,300 confirmed members of the cypherpunk movement, a group dedicated to privacy, cryptography, and decentralized systems. Bitcoin’s fundamental principles align closely with the cypherpunk ethos, and Satoshi’s writings frequently referenced cypherpunk ideals.
- The first Bitcoin transaction on January 11 aligns with Dorsey’s mother’s birthday, and Satoshi mined his last block on March 5, 2010, which is Dorsey’s father’s birthday. While this is circumstantial, it suggests an intentional personal connection between Satoshi and these key Bitcoin milestones.
- Unlike other tech billionaires, Dorsey has consistently prioritized Bitcoin over other cryptocurrencies and has funded Bitcoin development through Block (formerly Square). He has also repeatedly stated that Bitcoin is the most important technology of his lifetime, hinting at a deeper personal connection to its creation.
- While many assume Satoshi was primarily a cryptographer or computer scientist, Sigel highlights that Dorsey is a highly skilled software engineer who built Twitter’s original prototype alone. His ability to design and implement complex, globally scalable systems aligns with what Satoshi would have needed to do when launching Bitcoin.
In his thread, Sigel contends that unveiling Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity could have significant implications for the cryptocurrency market. He emphasizes that transparency regarding Nakamoto’s holdings, which are believed to be around 1.1 million Bitcoins, could reduce unnecessary speculation and address market fears about potential destabilization if these holdings were suddenly liquidated.
Sigel suggests that if Dorsey is indeed Satoshi, he could take steps to protect his safety, communicate succession and inheritance plans, and provide assurances that align with Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.
Debate Stirred Again
Sigel’s theory has sparked mixed reactions within the cryptocurrency community. Some applauded Sigel’s research and stated that the case for Dorsey was stronger than any other candidates so far, while critics argued that the evidence is circumstantial and doesn’t conclusively prove Dorsey’s involvement in Bitcoin’s creation. Others contend that publicly associating individuals with Satoshi’s identity without definitive proof is irresponsible and could pose personal risks.
As of now, Jack Dorsey has not publicly responded to these claims, but it is highly unlikely he would admit to this persona even if it were true.
