Who Created Bitcoin? New HBO Documentary 'Money Electric' Claims to Have Figured Out the Identity of the Elusive 'Satoshi Nakamoto'

The new HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, directed by Cullen Hoback (Q: Into the Storm) claims to have figured out the identity of the elusive figure who up to now has been known by the pseudonym "Satoshi Nakamoto."

Bitcoin has been around for 15 years, and while many people know what the cryptocurrency is, there's still one burning question that remains: Who created it?

Bitcoin has been around for 15 years, and while many people know what the cryptocurrency is, there's still one burning question that remains: Who created it?

The new HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, directed by Cullen Hoback (Q: Into the Storm), attempts to answer this question and uncover the identity of the mysterious figure known only by the pseudonym "Satoshi Nakamoto."

The new HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, directed by Cullen Hoback (Q: Into the Storm), attempts to answer this question and uncover the identity of the mysterious figure known only by the pseudonym "Satoshi Nakamoto."

The documentary, which premiered on Oct. 8, begins by explaining what Bitcoin is for those who may not be familiar with the cryptocurrency and then goes through its long, controversial history.

The documentary, which premiered on Oct. 8, begins by explaining what Bitcoin is for those who may not be familiar with the cryptocurrency and then goes through its long, controversial history.

"Who cares about Bitcoin?" Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, rhetorically asks in an old clip at the beginning of the doc as the 2010 value of one bitcoin flashes on the screen.

"Who cares about Bitcoin?" Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, rhetorically asks in an old clip at the beginning of the doc as the 2010 value of one bitcoin flashes on the screen.

Spoiler alert: It's 23 cents.

Spoiler alert: It's 23 cents.

A group of people, including Donald Trump, characterize Bitcoin as a "scam" as we see its value increasing onscreen over the years that follow. A decade and a half after its launch, the documentary claims, "Bitcoin has become the 10th most valuable asset in the world."

A group of people, including Donald Trump, characterize Bitcoin as a "scam" as we see its value increasing onscreen over the years that follow. A decade and a half after its launch, the documentary claims, "Bitcoin has become the 10th most valuable asset in the world."

But still, the trillion-dollar question persists: Who created it?

But still, the trillion-dollar question persists: Who created it?

Satoshi Nakamoto, who might be worth more than $1 trillion, is said to be the genius behind the decentralized, libertarian dream currency — but no-one by that name actually exists. And, as the documentary goes on to explain, Nakamoto disappeared years ago, leading to "the greatest mystery of the internet age" — the Gen Z version of "Who killed Jimmy Hoffa?" and "What happened to D.B. Cooper"?

Satoshi Nakamoto, who might be worth more than $1 trillion, is said to be the genius behind the decentralized, libertarian dream currency — but no-one by that name actually exists. And, as the documentary goes on to explain, Nakamoto disappeared years ago, leading to "the greatest mystery of the internet age" — the Gen Z version of "Who killed Jimmy Hoffa?" and "What happened to D.B. Cooper"?

Nakamoto created Bitcoin in 2008, and then they seemed to vanish around the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011, before the cryptocurrency really took off.

Nakamoto created Bitcoin in 2008, and then they seemed to vanish around the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011, before the cryptocurrency really took off.

Hoback travels around the world and speaks to various experts and insiders, including Blockstream CEO Adam Back, early Bitcoin developer Peter Todd and "Bitcoin Jesus" Roger Ver, to get to the bottom of why Satoshi vanished and, more importantly, who they are. Are they still alive? Did they ever even exist?

Hoback travels around the world and speaks to various experts and insiders, including Blockstream CEO Adam Back, early Bitcoin developer Peter Todd and "Bitcoin Jesus" Roger Ver, to get to the bottom of why Satoshi vanished and, more importantly, who they are. Are they still alive? Did they ever even exist?

Australian businessman Craig Wright claimed to be Nakamoto at one point, which effectively ruled him out and eventually landed him in the crosshairs of the U.K. High Court.

Australian businessman Craig Wright claimed to be Nakamoto at one point, which effectively ruled him out and eventually landed him in the crosshairs of the U.K. High Court.

The documentary throws out several other names — Blockstream cofounder Gregory Maxwell, computer scientist Nick Szabo, researcher and investor Wei Dei and the late Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney — before ultimately landing on one man: Peter Todd.

The documentary throws out several other names — Blockstream cofounder Gregory Maxwell, computer scientist Nick Szabo, researcher and investor Wei Dei and the late Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney — before ultimately landing on one man: Peter Todd.

Todd, a young Canadian who was still a college student in the early days of Bitcoin, says he didn't get involved in Bitcoin until 2014. But Hoback uncovers evidence that suggests otherwise, revealing that someone using the handle "toddp" had in fact been posting on the Bitcoin forum as early as 2010, finishing one of Nakamoto's thoughts before disappearing from the platform two days prior to when Nakamoto vanished from the forum.

Todd, a young Canadian who was still a college student in the early days of Bitcoin, says he didn't get involved in Bitcoin until 2014. But Hoback uncovers evidence that suggests otherwise, revealing that someone using the handle "toddp" had in fact been posting on the Bitcoin forum as early as 2010, finishing one of Nakamoto's thoughts before disappearing from the platform two days prior to when Nakamoto vanished from the forum.

When Hoback presents his suspicions to the real Peter Todd, who is now sitting before him, Todd begins chuckling. "I will admit, you're pretty creative," he says. "You come up with some crazy theories. It's ludicrous, but it's the kind of theory that someone who spends his time as a documentary journalist would come up with."

When Hoback presents his suspicions to the real Peter Todd, who is now sitting before him, Todd begins chuckling. "I will admit, you're pretty creative," he says. "You come up with some crazy theories. It's ludicrous, but it's the kind of theory that someone who spends his time as a documentary journalist would come up with."

He goes on to call Hoback's theory "just another example of journalists really missing the point in a way that's very funny."

He goes on to call Hoback's theory "just another example of journalists really missing the point in a way that's very funny."

"What is the point?" Hoback asks.

"What is the point?" Hoback asks.

"The point is to make Bitcoin the global currency," replies Todd, still chuckling, "and people like you being distracted by nonsense."

"The point is to make Bitcoin the global currency," replies Todd, still chuckling, "and people like you being distracted by nonsense."

That may be amusing to Todd, but it's not exactly a denial.

That may be amusing to Todd, but it's not exactly a denial.

Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery is now streaming on Max.

Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery is now streaming on Max.