Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous founder of Bitcoin, celebrates their 50th birthday during a period of increasing institutional and geopolitical acceptance of the world’s first cryptocurrency.
The true identity of Nakamoto continues to be one of the greatest enigmas in the crypto realm, with theories ranging from cryptographers like Adam Back and Nick Szabo to wider speculation involving intelligence agencies.
Although Nakamoto’s identity remains undisclosed, the creator of Bitcoin (BTC) is thought to have reached the age of 50 on April 5, based on previously revealed information.
According to preserved data from their P2P Foundation profile, Nakamoto once asserted to be a 37-year-old individual residing in Japan and cited their birthdate as April 5, 1975.
Source: Web.archive.org
The secrecy surrounding Nakamoto has significantly contributed to sustaining the decentralized character of the Bitcoin network, which lacks a central governing body or leadership.
The Bitcoin wallet linked to Nakamoto, which contains over 1 million BTC, has remained inactive for more than 16 years, even as BTC soared from $0 to a historic peak exceeding $109,000 in January.
Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Lugano, Switzerland. Source: Cointelegraph
Nakamoto’s 50th birthday occurs almost a month after US President Donald Trump authorized an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile, representing the initial significant step toward incorporating Bitcoin into the US financial framework.
Related: Bitcoin at 16: From experiment to trillion-dollar asset
Nakamoto’s legacy: a “cornerstone of economic independence”
“At 50, Nakamoto’s legacy transcends mere code; it stands as a cornerstone of economic independence,” remarked Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain specialist.
“Bitcoin’s status as a reserve indicates confidence in its scarcity and durability,” Lian stated to Cointelegraph, elaborating:
“What’s remarkable is the timing. Fifty feels significant — half a century of existence, reflected in Bitcoin’s evolution from a white paper to a trillion-dollar asset. Nakamoto’s vision of trustless, peer-to-peer currency has surpassed its cypherpunk origins, stepping into influential circles.”
Nevertheless, unresolved inquiries regarding Nakamoto persist, such as whether they still possess the keys to their wallet, which is “a fortune now linked to US policy,” Lian noted.
Related: Bitcoin’s next catalyst: End of $36T US debt ceiling suspension
Is Satoshi Nakamoto wealthier than Bill Gates?
In February, Arkham Intelligence released findings that credit 1.096 million BTC — at that time estimated to exceed $108 billion — to Nakamoto. That would position him above Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in global wealth rankings, according to data provided by Coinbase director Conor Grogan.
Satoshi’s new addresses. Source: Conor Grogan
If this is accurate, it would make Nakamoto the 16th wealthiest person in the world.
Despite the increasing curiosity about Nakamoto’s identity and assets, their initial choice to remain anonymous and inactive has aided in preserving Bitcoin’s decentralized philosophy — a principle that continues to characterize the cryptocurrency today.
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