Ripple CTO Addresses Speculation Linking Him to Bitcoin Creator

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David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer and one of the key developers of the XRP Ledger, recently addressed rumors about his possible connection to Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. The conversation took place on X (formerly Twitter), where Schwartz clarified his role in Bitcoin’s early days.

HBO Documentary Fuels Speculation About Bitcoin’s Origins

A new documentary from HBO, “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery”, has reignited discussions around Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity. The 100-minute film, released earlier this week, explores the origins of Bitcoin and includes interviews with notable figures in the crypto space.

Featured in the documentary are individuals like Adam Back, Roger Ver, Samson Mow, and Peter Todd, all of whom were deeply involved in Bitcoin’s early development. The film speculates that Peter Todd, a Canadian software developer, could be Satoshi Nakamoto. However, Todd himself denies this claim.

Schwartz Denies Involvement in Bitcoin’s Early Development

In response to the documentary, an X user asked David Schwartz if he knew or worked with any of the individuals featured in the film. The user noted Schwartz’s absence from the list of early Bitcoin contributors. Schwartz responded, “Not really, I didn’t get involved until mid-2011.”

Not really. I didn't get involved until mid-2011.
— David "JoelKatz" Schwartz (@JoelKatz) October 9, 2024

Back in 2020, rumors circulated that Schwartz could be Satoshi, a claim he denied. Schwartz stated that he did not learn about Bitcoin until 2011, years after the release of its 2008 whitepaper and the launch of its network in 2009. He also acknowledged that a group he was part of might have helped create Bitcoin.

The Ongoing Satoshi Nakamoto Mystery

Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity remains a mystery, sparking various theories over the years. The figure, whether a person or group, has not been heard from since 2011.

Nakamoto’s influence remains significant due to the vast amount of Bitcoin under their control—around one million BTC, valued at over $62 billion today. Despite new evidence and claims presented in the HBO documentary, the mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto continues.