Is Jack Dorsey the Real Satoshi? A Viral Theory Resurfaces
A new theory circulating on social media suggests that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey might be the elusive creator of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto.
This claim comes from Sean Murray, editor-in-chief of deBanked, who argues that various dates and facts align to support his theory.
Dorsey’s Cypherpunk Connection
In a post on X, Murray highlighted Dorsey’s deep involvement with cypherpunk culture during his college years.
He wore an RSA logo t-shirt designed by Adam Back, the creator of Hashcash, subscribed to cryptography newsletters, and took a university course focused on cryptography.
Murray also referenced Dorsey’s 2003 autobiography, in which he discussed hacking and working on cryptography late at night, often around 4 AM—the same time many of the original Bitcoin code documents were timestamped.
Additionally, Dorsey wrote about reducing dependence on the US dollar and developing a system to trade goods without money.
A notable connection Murray found was Dorsey’s Twitter bio once stating that he was a sailor. Interestingly, the original Bitcoin code includes the phrase, “Never go to sea with two chronometers — take one or three.”
Location and Timing Coincidences
Another point raised by Murray is that in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto accidentally logged into an IRC chat, revealing his location as California. At the same time, Dorsey was also in California.
Further intriguing coincidences include:
- The first Bitcoin transaction took place on Dorsey’s mother’s birthday.
- Satoshi joined the Bitcoin forum on Dorsey’s birthday.
- The last Bitcoin block mined by Satoshi allegedly occurred on Dorsey’s father’s birthday.
However, BitMEX Research analysts questioned these claims, particularly regarding the idea that Satoshi’s last mined block coincided with Dorsey’s father’s birthday.
They argued that the Patoshi pattern, which tracks Satoshi’s mining activity, has changed over time, making it difficult to pinpoint his last mined block.
The Satoshi Disappearance Timeline
Dorsey was appointed Executive Chairman of Twitter in 2011 while also serving as the CEO of Square. He often mentioned how busy he was managing both companies.
According to Murray, about a month after Dorsey took on these roles, Satoshi Nakamoto sent his last known message.
Matthew Sigel Weighs In
Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Asset Research at VanEck, has also put forth his belief that Dorsey is the real Satoshi Nakamoto.
Sigel pointed to technical and circumstantial evidence, as well as patterns and timing coincidences, that he believes connect Dorsey to Bitcoin’s inception.
Sigel emphasized the importance of uncovering Nakamoto’s identity, noting that Satoshi is believed to own around 1.1 million BTC, valued at approximately $72 billion at the current market price.
He argued that if Satoshi were to sell these holdings, it could have a drastic impact on the crypto market, potentially causing a price crash and shaking investor confidence.
In Sigel’s view, identifying Satoshi would bring much-needed transparency to the crypto industry and eliminate uncertainty, especially as Bitcoin price predictions continue to dominate financial discussions.
A Long History of Speculation
The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been the subject of speculation for years. Various theories have pointed to individuals such as Craig Wright and convicted criminal Paul Le Roux.
More recently, an HBO documentary, Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, suggested that Canadian software developer Peter Todd was behind Bitcoin.
However, the claim was met with criticism, and Todd has since withdrawn from public attention due to security concerns.
Sean Murray also pointed out additional links between Dorsey and Bitcoin. For example, a 2014 hacking incident involving Nakamoto’s “GMX” email account led to attempted extortion, with the hacker claiming to have knowledge of Nakamoto’s ties to St. Louis, Missouri—Dorsey’s birthplace and hometown.
Dorsey’s Response to the Claims
Despite these theories, Dorsey has denied being Bitcoin’s creator. In a 2020 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, he was directly asked if he was Satoshi Nakamoto. Dorsey responded, “No, and if I were, would I tell you?”
Although he dismisses the claims, Dorsey has remained an outspoken Bitcoin advocate. In 2021, he introduced a Bitcoin tipping feature on Twitter before stepping down as CEO to focus on his fintech company, Block (formerly Square).
The Mystery Continues
The question of who created Bitcoin remains one of the biggest mysteries in the crypto world. While Jack Dorsey is the latest name to be linked to the pseudonymous creator, there is still no definitive proof.
Until concrete evidence emerges, speculation will continue to swirl around the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto.
