The last week of October is buzzing with claims of Satoshi’s identity. On October 31, the anniversary of Bitcoin’s whitepaper release, Stephen Mollah presented himself as the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto at a London press conference. Mollah’s claim quickly attracted media attention, but mounting doubts over his identity cast a shadow over the event. BBC News cyber correspondent Joe Tidy attended the conference, reporting growing skepticism due to Mollah’s inability to provide proof and a series of unverifiable statements.
This is going to be an identity crisis in Satoshi Street with random people claiming to be the creator. Let’s dive into this interesting enigma.
Venue Confusion and Doubts from the Start
The event, heavily promoted by PR agency London Live, was held at the prestigious Frontline Club, often associated with high-profile media events. However, confusion arose early on when a Frontline Club representative clarified that the venue had no official affiliation with the conference. This revelation, coupled with the unusual claims from Mollah, reportedly led at least one journalist to leave before the conference concluded. Charles Anderson, the event’s organizer, acknowledged the high level of interest but faced challenges as the press event’s credibility began to waver.
Questionable Claims and Technical Issues
Mollah made bold claims beyond Bitcoin, asserting he had invented energy recovery systems for vehicles and even created the popular TV show Britain’s Got Talent. These statements raised eyebrows, especially without evidence to back them up. During a planned live demonstration meant to prove his identity as Nakamoto, Mollah faced technical issues with his laptop. Instead of presenting concrete proof, he recounted previous attempts to reveal himself, including an unverified 2016 interview with the BBC’s Rory Cellan-Jones. These factors only create doubts about his claim to be Bitcoin’s creator.
Promise of Proof Falls Flat
When journalists pushed Mollah for solid proof, like moving bitcoins from the Genesis block or providing cryptographic signatures, he could only show “easy to fake screenshots.” He promised to offer verifiable proof in the coming months, but this left the audience skeptical. The press conference, meant to unveil Bitcoin’s creator, failed to deliver convincing evidence, leaving Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity a mystery and casting serious doubt on Mollah’s claims.
This is yet another failed attempt to reveal the actual Satoshi Nakamoto. Will this mystery be solved ever? We will come to know soon.
