Unmasking Bitcoin Creators: Latest Hacker Revelations & Implications for Cryptocurrency

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Hackers unmask Bitcoin creators | Business Insider Africa

Long-standing Friendship of Programmers

Programmers Cohen and Sasseman share a deep-rooted friendship that blossomed through their shared scientific pursuits, ultimately leading to a groundbreaking innovation of the 21st century that fundamentally altered the course of human advancement. In 2001, Cohen made a significant impact on data sharing by developing the BitTorrent technology. This innovation shifted the paradigm from reliant centralized servers to a model where users could directly exchange files, enhancing resource efficiency and reducing costs. His motivation stemmed from a desire to enable individuals to access video files freely, without infringing on copyright laws, while also facilitating faster downloads in an era of sluggish internet speeds. This decentralized network allowed users to share content in small segments, creating a collaborative ecosystem. Cohen adapted this same principle to Bitcoin, crafting a system that was efficient, scalable, and nearly cost-free. Meanwhile, his companion Sasseman, a cryptographer, shared a different vision centered on internet freedom, focusing on privacy and anonymity. Together with Cohen and other prominent figures in the crypto space, Sasseman contributed to numerous initiatives aimed at preserving user anonymity, including the development of the Tor browser and anonymous email systems. Their partnership showcased a unique synergy, with Cohen favoring Linux while Sasseman preferred Mac systems.

“Let’s Call It Bitcoin”

Correspondence between Cohen and Sasseman reveals intriguing insights into their collaboration. In one letter, Cohen expresses his understanding of Sasseman’s thoughts on anonymity, suggesting they incorporate a nod to their roles as the project’s creators to bolster credibility. He proposes the name “Satoshi,” inspired by its Japanese meaning of “smart,” which humorously alludes to Sasseman’s nickname from school, “smart guy.” Cohen further suggests the surname Nakamoto, a common name that translates to “from the center,” subtly referencing the decentralized nature of their creation. Sasseman’s reply highlights the cleverness of this naming strategy, also encouraging the inclusion of Cohen’s lucky number, 190. This number holds personal significance for Cohen, representing not only his height of 190 cm but also the address of his childhood home in Manhattan. Interestingly, 190 is a vital figure in the BitTorrent framework, as it denotes the maximum file size of 190 GB. The timing of their birthdays adds another layer to the narrative, with Cohen born 190 days after the fictional Satoshi Nakamoto claims his birthday to be. This recurring number also appears in Cohen’s latest project, Chia Coin, where 190 signifies the length of the first mined block.

New Breakthrough Technology

Cohen’s aspirations for their shared endeavor were notably grander than Sasseman’s. He even suggested naming the project after himself, proposing “Bittorcoin” as a fusion of their names and projects, or simply “Bitcoin” for brevity. The meticulous investigation by Channel 4 reporters has unveiled these remarkable connections. However, the tale takes a somber turn as the founders of Bitcoin were thrust into the spotlight of global recognition, yet faced heartbreaking challenges. Satoshi’s last communication occurred on April 23, 2011, where he indicated a shift in focus, stating, “I’ve moved on to other things. He’s in good hands with Gavin and everyone else.” Tragically, Sasseman passed away just 190 days later, on July 3, 2011. Subsequently, on January 3, 2012, the third anniversary of the mining of the initial block of their project, an eerie mystery unfolded as Sasseman took with him the keys to their shared wallet, resulting in the loss of one million bitcoins—an extraordinary equivalent of roughly 100 billion dollars at current market valuations. This unfortunate event stands as a testament to their contributions to humanity’s progress. Now, without his partner, Cohen is championing a new innovative technology—Chia Coin—which aims to surpass Bitcoin in performance. The anticipation remains: could Chia Coin ultimately take the place of Bitcoin?