For over a decade, the identity of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has remained a mystery. From renowned cryptographers to government agencies, countless theories have been tossed around.
But a new one has surfaced—what if Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder and a passionate Bitcoin supporter, is actually the mastermind behind it all?
It’s a fascinating idea, but how much truth is there to it? Let’s take a closer look.
Why Some Think Dorsey Could Be Satoshi
Supporters of this theory believe there are a few compelling links between Dorsey and Bitcoin’s origins:
- A Solid Cryptography Background – Dorsey studied cryptography at NYU, a skill that aligns perfectly with the knowledge needed to create a decentralized digital currency.
- An Early Interest in Digital Payments – In 2000, Dorsey co-founded dNet, a project exploring decentralized payment systems—an idea that mirrors Bitcoin’s core concept.
- A Longtime Bitcoin Advocate – While many tech leaders have been hesitant to embrace Bitcoin, Dorsey has been all in. As CEO of Square (now Block), he integrated Bitcoin into Cash App and funded Bitcoin-related initiatives like the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund.
- The Timing Seems to Fit – Bitcoin’s whitepaper was published in 2008, right around the time Dorsey stepped back from daily operations at Twitter. Could he have used that time to develop Bitcoin?
The Case Against This Theory
As intriguing as it sounds, most experts aren’t convinced. Here’s why:
- Different Writing Styles – Satoshi’s writings are technical, precise, and structured. Dorsey, on the other hand, writes in a more casual, free-flowing style.
- No Concrete Evidence – There’s no cryptographic proof—such as a signed message from Satoshi’s known Bitcoin addresses—linking Dorsey to Nakamoto.
- Dorsey Has Denied It – When asked directly in a 2022 podcast, Dorsey flat-out said, “I was not Satoshi.”
- His Bitcoin Involvement Came Later – While Dorsey is one of Bitcoin’s biggest advocates today, he didn’t establish Square Crypto (now Spiral) until 2019—long after Bitcoin was already a global phenomenon. If he were Satoshi, wouldn’t he have been more involved from the start?
Why People Care So Much About Satoshi’s Identity
Unmasking Satoshi Nakamoto isn’t just about solving a mystery—it could have massive implications for Bitcoin’s future. One of Bitcoin’s biggest strengths is its decentralization; no one controls it, and that’s what makes it powerful.
If Nakamoto’s identity were revealed, it could shift perceptions of Bitcoin’s neutrality and impact its long-term adoption.
Dorsey’s strong belief in decentralization makes him an easy target for speculation, but that alone isn’t enough to prove he’s Bitcoin’s creator.
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of whether Dorsey is Satoshi, this theory highlights just how influential Bitcoin has become. More than a decade later, people are still searching for its creator—a testament to the impact of decentralized finance.
Dorsey himself continues to champion Bitcoin’s ideals through projects like Nostr and other blockchain-based initiatives.
At the end of the day, this theory is more of an entertaining thought experiment than a serious claim. Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity remains one of the internet’s greatest mysteries—and maybe that’s exactly how it was meant to be.