The mysterious Bitcoin creator has been revealed as a 64-year-old Japanese-American man living in California. Although he is rumored to be worth more than $400 million, Satoshi Nakamoto reportedly lives in a modest home and drives a Toyota Corolla CE.
The Bitcoin creator’s identity was extensively researched by Newsweek reporter Leah McGrath Goodman. With help from forensic analysts Barbara Mathews and Sharon Sergeant, Goodman managed to identify and speak with Nakamoto and several members of his family.
Although Nakamoto resisted discussing Bitcoin in detail, he alluded to his prior involvement:
“I am no longer involved in that and I cannot discuss it… It’s been turned over to other people. They are in charge of it now. I no longer have any connection.”
Nakamoto refused to discuss the subject any further . However, Goodman eventually made contact with his younger brother Arthur. Although he had little knowledge about the creation of Bitcoin, Arthur described his brother as “a brilliant man.” He also suggests that Nakamoto’s prior career involved classified work for the US government:
“His life was a complete blank for a while. You’re not going to be able to get to him. He’ll deny everything. He’ll never admit to starting Bitcoin.”
Although he never met the creator in person, Bitcoin’s chief scientist Gavin Andresen helped develop the online currency . Andresen said he corresponded with Nakamoto through e-mails and secure online messenger programs. The scientist said Bitcoin’s creator was notoriously elusive:
“He was the kind of person who, if you made an honest mistake, he might call you an idiot and never speak to you again… Back then, it was not clear that creating Bitcoin might be a legal thing to do. He went to great lengths to protect his anonymity.”
In an attempt to maintain his anonymity, Nakamoto legally changed his name to “Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto” in 1973. According to Goodman’s research, he now uses the name “Dorian S. Nakamoto.”
Ilene Mitchell, Nakamoto’s eldest daughter, describes her father as a hard-working and secretive man, who was “very wary of the government, taxes and people in charge.” Mitchell said her father often spent hours locked in his office. However, nobody had a clue what he was doing.
Although Goodman’s article is incredibly interesting, it has drawn stark criticism. PC World reports that social network users are debating whether the revelation will do more harm than good. The long-term impact of revealing the Bitcoin creator is unclear. However, fans of the currency will certainly be interested to learn more about the man behind the mystery.
[Image via Newsweek]