A reclusive Japanese American man named by Newsweek as the founder of bitcoin, denies any involvement with the digital currency. But only after leading reporters on a car chase through LA.
Satoshi Nakamoto, a name known to bitcoin traders, practitioners and boosters around the world as the title used by the mysterious founder of the cryptocurrency, appeared to have been revealed to the world on Thursday after Newsweek published a story that said Nakamoto lived in California.
The story included a photograph of an eldery Japanese American man and said he lived in Temple City, just east of Los Angeles. Reporter Leah McGrath Goodman quoted him as saying: “I am no longer involved in that and I cannot discuss it,” and “It’s been turned over to other people. They are in charge of it now. I no longer have any connection.”
Before long, dozens of reporters circled a modest two-storey house thought to be his home on Thursday morning. No-one answered the doorbell, though several times, someone pulled back the drapes on an upstairs window, suggesting the person was keeping an eye on the street.
In the afternoon, Dorian S Nakamoto stepped outside and told reporters he had nothing to do with bitcoin. But he said he was looking for someone who understood Japanese, to buy him a free lunch.
An AP reporter stepped forward, and the two made their way to a nearby sushi restaurant with media in tow, before leaving and driving to the Associated Press offices in downtown Los Angeles followed by other reporters – and tracked by the #bitcoincarchase hashtag on Twitter.
When he arrived, he once again denied any involvement with bitcoin during a two-hour interview – this time on camera (see video above).
Since bitcoin began in 2009, the currency’s creator has remained a mystery, with many journalists speculating on who it may be. For its part, Newsweek has continued to stand by its story.
Recent weeks have seen the collapse of Mt. Gox, once among the largest of the bitcoin exchanges, and the closure of Canadian bitcoin lender Flexcoin.
The collapse of Mt. Gox has shaken confidence in the digital currency, which advocates believe will smooth financial transactions across the world. Opponents criticise it as a risky, unregulated investment. Unlike conventional money, bitcoin is bought and sold on a peer-to-peer network independent of central control.
In December, the value of a single bitcoin hit an all-time high of $1,200. On Thursday, it was around $665, according to the bitcoincharts.com.