Peter Todd forced into hiding after the release of HBO documentary claiming he is Bitcoin’s inventor.
Computer scientist and cryptographer Peter Todd was featured in a recent HBO documentary titled “Money Electric”. The film, directed by Cullen Hoback, explores Bitcoin’s origins and advances the hypothesis that Todd could be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous figure behind Bitcoin’s creation. Todd has immediately and categorically denied this claim.
In a recent interview with WIRED, Todd dismissed the documentary’s claims, emphasizing that the evidence presented is insufficient and misleading. Despite his active involvement in early Bitcoin discussions, Todd states this does not equate to being its founder.
Security concerns
The documentary’s release has led to an increase in unwanted monetary requests for Todd. After Money Electric aired, Todd’s main concern shifted to his personal safety. The growing public interest has led to a reduction in his public appearances and online presence. He expressed fears about threats of cyber attacks or physical harm, such as potential kidnappings.
During the interview, Todd stated:
“So far, [it’s] a bunch of people asking for money. Obviously, falsely claiming that ordinary people of ordinary wealth are extraordinarily rich exposes them to threats like robbery and kidnapping. Not only is the question dumb, it’s dangerous. Satoshi obviously didn’t want to be found, for good reasons, and no one should help people trying to find Satoshi.”
Todd maintains that the deliberate anonymity maintained by Satoshi Nakamoto was intended to protect both personal security and the financial ecosystem influenced by Bitcoin.
