An inquiry made to the FBI revealed cryptic details about Bitcoin’s potential creator
The mystery surrounding Bitcoin’s (BTC) creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has taken an interesting turn with recent developments involving the FBI. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by investigative journalist Dave Troy has led to speculation that the FBI may possess inside knowledge about Nakamoto’s true identity.
The FBI’s response to Troy’s inquiry neither confirmed nor denied having records on Nakamoto, a standard tactic known as a “Glomar response.” However, as Troy explained, this kind of reply is often used by government agencies when they don’t want to reveal whether they have specific information, which, in this case, suggests that the FBI might indeed know more than it is letting on.
1/Sigh, this just in from the FBI, which asserts that Satoshi Nakamoto, the apocryphal creator of Bitcoin, is a “third party individual,” and can neither confirm or deny the existence of any records on this person. Typically this is their answer for requests re: non-US persons. pic.twitter.com/oFVB4hHJcJ
— Dave Troy (@davetroy) August 13, 2024
Troy’s request was broad in scope, intending to uncover any information the FBI might have regarding Nakamoto. The FBI’s response, by not denying the existence of records, subtly hinted that Nakamoto could be a “third party individual” known to them. This assertion has raised further curiosity, especially since it was the bureau itself, not Troy, that implied Nakamoto could be an individual rather than a group or alias.
The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been one of the most relevant mysteries in the world of cryptocurrency. Since the release of the BTC white paper in 2008, numerous theories have emerged about whether Nakamoto is one person or a collective pseudonym for a group. Despite extensive speculation and several claims—most notably by Australian computer scientist Craig Wright—no one has been able to prove Nakamoto’s identity.
Troy’s FOIA request could be a significant step toward unraveling this mystery. If the FBI does have information on Nakamoto, it could eventually shed light on one of the most anonymous figures in modern financial history. However, for now, the identity of the BTC creator remains as elusive as ever, with the FBI’s cryptic response only adding to this doubt.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.