The New York Times says it's identified Satoshi, the inventor of bitcoin

MW The New York Times says it's identified Satoshi, the inventor of bitcoin

By Steve Goldstein

Adam Back is reportedly the inventor of bitcoin, according to a new report.

A report in The New York Times claims to have identified the person who goes by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamato, the inventor of bitcoin and one of the richest people on Earth.

According to the report, bitcoin's inventor is Adam Back, a British cryptographer and still a major player in the bitcoin movement.

The New York Times analysis relies heavily on textual analysis of old emails and posts, and in particular incorrect hyphen usage and British spelling.

Back has repeatedly denied that he is Satoshi.

According to crypto exchange Arkham, Satoshi holds some $73 billion worth of bitcoin (BTCUSD).

Back's BSTR Holding has agreed to merge with the shell company Cantor Equity Partners I (CEPO).

In a podcast whose transcript was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Back called himself "one of the earliest people in bitcoin" and said he was the first person to receive an email from Satoshi, having developed the mining element back in 1997.

-Steve Goldstein

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April 08, 2026 06:16 ET (10:16 GMT)

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