Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      Why the spectrum gold rush may soon be over

      23 June 2025

      Tech stability key to getting South Africa off damaging financial grey list

      23 June 2025

      ‘System offline’ scourge to end, says Schreiber – but industry must pay

      23 June 2025

      Naspers shifts to an AI-first strategy – and it’s paying off

      23 June 2025

      Letter: South Africa risks missing AI wave while world surges ahead

      23 June 2025
    • World

      Watch | Starship rocket explodes in setback to Musk’s Mars mission

      19 June 2025

      Trump Mobile dials into politics, profit and patriarchy

      17 June 2025

      Samsung plots health data hub to link users and doctors in real time

      17 June 2025

      Beijing’s chip champions blacklisted by Taiwan

      16 June 2025

      China is behind in AI chips – but for how much longer?

      13 June 2025
    • In-depth

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025

      MultiChoice may unbundle SuperSport from DStv

      12 June 2025

      Grok promised bias-free chat. Then came the edits

      2 June 2025

      Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

      30 May 2025

      Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s big bet to out-Apple Apple

      22 May 2025
    • TCS

      TCS | South Africa’s Sociable wants to make social media social again

      23 June 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E3: Behind Takealot’s revenue surge

      23 June 2025

      TCS+ | AfriGIS’s Helen Hulett on how tech can help resolve South Africa’s water crisis

      18 June 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E2: South Africa’s digital battlefield

      16 June 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E1: Starlink, BEE and a new leader at Vodacom

      8 June 2025
    • Opinion

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025

      Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

      13 June 2025

      Beyond the box: why IT distribution depends on real partnerships

      2 June 2025

      South Africa’s next crisis? Being offline in an AI-driven world

      2 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » Cryptocurrencies » Bitcoin pioneer sceptical of the latest Satoshi Nakamoto

    Bitcoin pioneer sceptical of the latest Satoshi Nakamoto

    By Agency Staff20 August 2019
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    Jeff Garzik used to exchange e-mails with Satoshi Nakamoto before the anonymous creator of bitcoin disappeared years ago. He doubts Satoshi has resurfaced again.

    When an Internet posting on Sunday claimed to come from Satoshi, and promised to reveal his or her true identity on Tuesday, Garzik read it. His verdict: “The writing style does not strike me as the same,” Garzik said in an interview.

    In an even more unexpected twist, the writer of the post wrote on Monday that he’s a Pakistani national living in the UK who has changed his name to James Caan from Bilal Khalid. He decided to publish the last two of his planned posts at once due to “overwhelming interest we have received”.

    I actually get this every couple of months – a new fraud every couple of months. Usually it’s either information, or it’s a common scam

    The first post only contained publicly available information, said Garzik, who says he hears from would-be Satoshis on a regular basis.

    “I actually get this every couple of months — a new fraud every couple of months,” Garzik said. “Usually it’s either information, or it’s a common scam: ‘All my bitcoins are locked up, send me some of yours.’”

    Multiple people have claimed to be Satoshi over the years, while many others have been pointed to as possible bitcoin creators. Australian scientist Craig Wright is currently involved in several court cases that could help prove or disprove his claim.

    An easy way to settle the controversy is for the supposed Satoshi to use a digital signature only the real bitcoin creator knows. No one has so far, including today’s poster. The signature can be used on messages.

    ‘Litmus test’

    “The litmus test is always pretty definite and easy to prove or disprove, it’s signing something with a digital signature,” said Garzik, co-founder of Bloq, which develops blockchain technology for use by companies.

    Billions are potentially riding on the real identity of Satoshi. The bitcoin creator likely owns about US$10-billion bitcoins based on current prices, casting great sway over the market. But he or she hasn’t posted a forum message or e-mailed anyone since 2010.

    Caan, who shares the same name as the American actor best known for his roles in The Godfather and Misery, said his bitcoins were lost after a computer malfunction lead to a loss of his computer hard drive, storing them.  — Reported by Olga Kharif, (c) 2019 Bloomberg LP



    Bitcoin Craig Wright James Caan Jeff Garzik Satoshi Nakamoto
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleIMF rumours may be the scare South Africa needs
    Next Article Apple targets November launch for Netflix rival in 150 countries

    Related Posts

    Bitcoin smashes R2-million mark in record-breaking rally

    22 May 2025

    Trump tariffs are now slamming crypto

    7 April 2025

    How stablecoins could unlock trade in South Africa

    1 April 2025
    Company News

    IoT connectivity management in South Africa – expert insights

    23 June 2025

    Let’s reimagine Joburg using the power of tech, data and AI

    23 June 2025

    Netstar doubles down on global markets while backing SA growth

    23 June 2025
    Opinion

    South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

    17 June 2025

    AI and the future of ICT distribution

    16 June 2025

    Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

    13 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.