Two separate teams say they've cracked one of tech's longest-running mysteries.
Wired reports that a Pulitzer-winning journalist and an independent research project are both claiming to have identified Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. Both groups are presenting what they say is supporting evidence, though the details remain contested. The mystery of Satoshi's identity has persisted for over 15 years, with countless false claims along the way.
Why this matters: Satoshi controls roughly 1 million Bitcoin, currently worth around $65 billion. Whoever can prove that identity could theoretically access those funds—or at minimum, wield enormous influence in the crypto world. That's a powerful incentive for every amateur sleuth and grifter with a theory.
But history suggests caution. Every major "Satoshi found" claim in the past decade has collapsed under scrutiny. The realists in the space know better than to celebrate unverified assertions. We'll need to see receipts—and probably wait years for any claim to gain widespread acceptance.