April 5, 2025, marks the 50th birthday of Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. His identity and legacy remain shrouded in mystery.
Satoshi Nakamoto: Identity and Birthdate
April 5, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the date listed in Satoshi Nakamoto's P2P Foundation profile. Nakamoto's identity remains unknown, but his invention has had a significant impact on the economy. It seems Nakamoto intentionally chose his claimed birth date; April 5th, 1933, was when the US prohibited its citizens from owning gold under Executive Order 6102, highlighting the date's symbolism. Additionally, Bitcoin's mining difficulty increases every 2,016 blocks, possibly referencing this same order.
Key Events for Bitcoin Over the Year
The past year has been significant for Bitcoin history. The fourth halving event occurred on April 20, 2024, and mining rewards decreased from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. Despite heightened interest, Bitcoin’s price remained stable around $64,000 after block 840,000. By the end of 2024, Bitcoin reached $100,000, spurred by ETF approvals and a positive macro sentiment. The Bitcoin network's hashrate also hit 1,000 EH/s by January 3, 2025, reflecting increased miner confidence. On March 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Satoshi’s Silent Wallet and Growing Speculation
However, Satoshi Nakamoto's wallet, holding over 1.09 million Bitcoins, remains inactive. This stash, mined during the early years of the cryptocurrency, is now worth over $91 million. While the wallet shows no activity, it occasionally receives CoinJoin transactions. Speculation about Nakamoto's true identity continues; in 2024, a UK court cleared Craig Wright of owning Bitcoin. Despite a lack of evidence, suspicions shift toward various individuals, including Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and Jack Dorsey.
Satoshi Nakamoto's 50th anniversary raises important questions about his influence on Bitcoin and the future of cryptocurrency. The legacy left by this mysterious creator continues to inspire discussions.
