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Controversy over 'discovery' of Bitcoin creator
2014/3/6
Controversy is surrounding claims by Newsweek to have found the creator of the Bitcoin virtual currency.
Before now it was assumed that the name behind Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, was a pseudonym for the group of coders who developed the system.
Now Newsweek claims Mr Nakamoto is a 64-year-old model train enthusiast who lives on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
The claim has drawn criticism with many saying Newsweek had only circumstantial evidence for its assertion.
In the article, Newsweek reporter Leah Goodman said she tracked Mr Nakamoto down by seeking public records for US citizens bearing that name. She then investigated people whose background, education and employment history showed they might be capable of creating the crypto-currency.
Ms Goodman's enquiries focussed on one candidate in particular who seemed to have the right profile and whose involvement was hinted at by other Bitcoin developers.
Further evidence, she said, arose when talking to his family members revealed his obsession with privacy, his political leanings and his facility with maths.
The evidence led Ms Goodman to confront Mr Nakamoto at his home where she asked if he was the creator of Bitcoin.
In response, Mr Nakamoto said: "I am no longer involved in that and I cannot discuss it."
Many Bitcoin commentators on social networks have expressed scepticism about the find saying the evidence Ms Goodman gathered was not convincing. The story was called "fake" by some commentators on the Bitcoin Talk forum who demanded Mr Nakamoto carry out signed Bitcoin transactions to prove that he was the currency's originator.
Others criticised Newsweek for publishing a picture of Mr Nakamoto and revealing so much about his life.
On Twitter, Ms Goodman said the magazine had only printed information that was publicly available.
