Outspoken entrepreneur and 2020 presidential candidate John McAfee claims he knows the true identity of bitcoin founder (or founders) Satoshi Nakamoto.
In an interview with Bloomberg, McAfee said uncovering bitcoin’s creators was a “piece of cake.”
“My entire life I’ve been tracking people who are the best in the world, and hiding their identity. Finding Satoshi was a piece of cake for me.”
Bitcoin’s creators: A team of Indians?
McAfee told Bloomberg he would unmask Satoshi “within weeks,” but he later changed his mind. Citing a letter from his lawyer, McAfee claims that revealing bitcoin’s true creator would harm his US extradition fight.
The US extradition request to the Bahamas is imminent. I met with Mario Gray, my extradition lawyer, and it is now clear (read his letter below) that releasing the identity of Satoshi at this time could influence the trial and risk my extradition. I cannot risk that. I’ll wait. pic.twitter.com/l8lTjR6fQM
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 23, 2019
In the days prior, however, McAfee hinted that Satoshi was not in fact one person, but a team from India. In an email thread posted to Twitter, McAfee responded to a person claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto saying:
“Are you of Indian ethnicity? … Then you are the only non-Indian (India) on the team and I have never heard of you. How is that?”
I have received today dozens of communications from people and groups claiming to be Satoshi. Below is an example email and my responses. So people, please – i do know who Satoshi is. Don’t make yourself look foolish by pretending. I will do as I did below. BTW – big clue below: pic.twitter.com/OGXBzrlD5a
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 18, 2019
How do I know about Satoshi? Because I’m “John F**king McAfee”
McAfee offered no hard evidence for his claims. But he did remind everyone that he “created a great company whose focus was to stop hackers. I had to know hacking. I am still John Fucking McAfee.”
How do I know about Satoshi?
Yes, I drink, use drugs, chase women, run from the law – which I have done since I was 19. But it does not obviate the fact that I created a great company whose focus was stopping hackers. I had to know hacking. I am still John Fucking McAfee,
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 17, 2019
Expanding on his theory of Satoshi as a collection of Indians, he explained:
“[Satoshi] is a collection of people, but the white paper was written by one man, who currentky (sic) resides in the US.”
The “Who is Satoshi?” Mystery must end! First: It is NOT the CIA nor any agency of any world government. It IS a collection of people, but the white paper was written by one man, who currentky resides in the US. If he does not come forward these narrowings will continue.
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 17, 2019
Satoshi Nakamoto: The mystery continues
The identity of bitcoin’s founder is back in the headlines as Australian businessman Craig Wright aggressively insists he is the real Satoshi Nakamoto.
The cryptocurrency community has slammed Wright as “a fraud” for his assertion while leading crypto exchanges have delisted Wright’s project cryptocurrency Bitcoin SV.
McAfee joined the debate claiming Wright is “100% NOT Craig Wright.”
Enough is enough! There at least a dozen crypto adherents who know the true identity of Satoshi. I can assure you, 100%, it is NOT Craig Wright. This absurd claim of Craig’s is incomprehensible. Mr wright: Have you no shame? Seriously sir! Have you no shame?
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 16, 2019
McAfee: I’ve Spoken With Satoshi, He’s Furious
As CCN reported, McAfee says he spoke to Satoshi (presumably the author of the white paper currently residing in the US) and he’s not happy about McAfee’s attempt to unmask him.
“I’ve spoken with him, and he is not a happy camper about my attempt to out him.”
The debacle continues…