The seven year mystery regarding the anonymous inventor of bitcoin has been revealed by the BBC. A 45-year-old IT and security consultant from Australia, Craig Wright, has come forward and provided evidence to the BBC that he is the founder of bitcoin, the original digital currency first introduced to the world in 2009.
The inventor of bitcoin had until now been known only as Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym. The idea that Craig Wright was the figure behind bitcoin was initially floated by Wired and Gizmodo magazines back in December 2015. The two publications claimed to reveal Wright’s identity based on leaked transcripts, undiscovered emails and financial records. At the time, Wright did not pass comment on the claims, which soon became the subject of much discussion among many in the industry. Wright made the admission in a recent blog post, alluding to having technical proof of his claim. He also gave evidence to the BBC
Jon Matonis, one of the founding directors of the Bitcoin Foundation, backs up Wright’s claim. After having “the opportunity to review the relevant data along three distinct lines: cryptographic, social, and technical”, he firmly believes “that Craig Wright satisfies all three categories”.
Wright describes himself on a LinkedIn page as a “senior management executive information security specialist”. He was the director of more than a dozen companies, some involved in cryptocurrency, until he removed himself from all of them in July 2015.
He has caught the attention of authorities in Sydney recently, as his home was raided by Australian federal police in connection with a tax investigation (supposedly unrelated to his connection with the digital currency).
The decision to reveal his true identity was motivated by his desire to “dispel any negative myths and fears about bitcoin” according to Wright. He stated that:“I cannot allow the misinformation that has been spread to impact the future of bitcoin and the blockchain”.
Digital currencies (also called cryptocurrencies) are an innovative way of allowing consumers to make electronic transactions without the need for traditional banks. Since 2009, there are now believed to be over 15 million bitcoins in circulation (including the million reportedly owned by Wright). One BTC is approximately worth around USD $400.
Bitcoin is becoming an increasingly popular choice for online bookmaking, particularly poker. Many sites such as Betcoin.ag and Seals with Clubs are marketing themselves to poker players interested in gambling with digital currencies like bitcoin.