Trade Buzz Surrounds HBO’s Satoshi Nakamoto Documentary
Crypto enthusiasts on the blockchain prediction platform Polymarket are currently engaged in trading bets on the upcoming HBO documentary that aims to unveil the identity of Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Rapid Market Activity
According to data from Polymarket, the betting market titled “Who will HBO doc identify as Satoshi?” has swiftly climbed into the top 10 most-active markets on the platform this month.
- **Daily Trade Volume:** Surged to $2.5 million within the first week.
- **Active Users:** Attracted nearly 1,778 participants as of October 7.
- **Total Wagers:** Exceeded $15 million as bettors speculate on potential identities.
Who Are the Contenders?
The ongoing speculation has led bettors to focus on several prominent figures as potential candidates for being Nakamoto, including:
- Nick Szabo
- Len Sassaman
- Adam Back
- David Kleiman
- Hal Finney
The HBO documentary is slated for release on October 9 at 2:00 A.M. UTC.
Len Sassaman’s Odds Decline
Initially, Len Sassaman was the frontrunner in the betting market with odds reaching up to 68% on October 4. Bettors cited his cryptographic background, use of British English, and links to Hal Finney—an early Bitcoin user and one of the names speculated to be Nakamoto.
Factors contributing to Sassaman’s consideration included:
- Expertise in privacy technologies aligning closely with Bitcoin’s design.
- Association with notable early adopters of Bitcoin.
However, Sassaman’s odds have sharply decreased after director Cullen Hoback hinted that Nakamoto may still be alive, leading many to discount Sassaman, who passed away in 2011. Sassaman’s wife, Meredith Patterson, has revealed that HBO did not consult her for insights, casting further doubt on this possibility.
Rising Favor for Nick Szabo
As Sassaman’s odds dwindled, attention has shifted toward Nick Szabo, a prominent computer scientist who developed BitGold, a precursor to Bitcoin. Szabo currently holds 13.2% of the betting odds.
Though BitGold was never launched, its innovative design included essential elements that later influenced Bitcoin, such as:
- Peer-to-peer networking
- Proof-of-work mining
- Cryptographic principles
Despite this, Szabo has consistently refuted claims that he is Nakamoto, maintaining his position at the center of the ongoing discourse.
Key Figures Mentioned in This Article
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