Main Points:
- Speculation about Len Sassaman being Bitcoin’s creator Satoshi Nakamoto resurfaces with an upcoming HBO documentary.
- The author shares personal memories and reflections on Len Sassaman’s character and technical skills.
- Despite reasonable doubt, Len’s passion for anonymity, open networks, and technology aligns with traits attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto.
HBO Documentary Reignites Satoshi Nakamoto Speculation
An upcoming HBO documentary has reignited speculation that Len Sassaman, a renowned cryptographer, could be the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. The documentary, set to be released on October 8, 2024, hints at a confrontation between the filmmakers and a person believed to be Satoshi. Despite the documentary’s claims, doubts remain about whether Len could have been the man behind Bitcoin. However, some of Len’s close friends and colleagues, including the author, believe there is credible evidence pointing toward the possibility that Len was indeed Satoshi.
Meeting Len Sassaman: A Remarkable Friendship
The author, Justin Newton, recalls meeting Len Sassaman during their youth. They first crossed paths at a boarding school in Pennsylvania, where Len was an introverted teenager with a passion for technology. Len’s mentor recognized his exceptional talent in computer science and asked Newton, already involved in the data center business, to help guide Len. Despite Len’s shyness and his tendency to downplay his achievements, it was clear that he possessed extraordinary technical abilities.
Through lengthy conversations, Newton realized that Len’s ideals about the power of technology, privacy, and the democratization of information strongly resembled the values often associated with Satoshi Nakamoto. Len’s enthusiasm for creating open and permissionless networks that could shape the future without central authority was striking. Over the years, their friendship grew, and they shared many discussions about the potential for technology to change the world.
Silicon Valley Years: Len’s Rise in the Tech World
When Newton moved to Los Angeles to work at NetZero, Len relocated to San Francisco. Newton introduced him to communities such as the North American Network Operators Group (NANOG) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), where Len quickly found his place among like-minded technologists.
Throughout their friendship, Len frequently reached out to Newton for advice, especially when considering career moves. Although their conversations often revolved around career development, they would sometimes dive deep into broader topics. They spent hours discussing the importance of open innovation, the value of permissionless networks, and the trade-offs between speed and control in technological advancements. Len’s unwavering belief that technology should empower individuals to act freely and quickly resonated with the core principles of Bitcoin.
Len Sassaman’s Values: Parallels to Bitcoin’s Creation
Despite reasonable arguments against Len being Satoshi Nakamoto, Newton believes that many people fail to understand who Len truly was. For instance, Len’s lack of wealth is often cited as evidence against him being Satoshi, given that the Bitcoin creator has never cashed in the mined coins. However, this fits Len’s character perfectly. He was driven by a desire to create a better future through technology, not by financial gain. It is entirely plausible that Len destroyed the private keys to his Bitcoin wallet, ensuring that neither he nor anyone else could profit from it.
Len’s frequent criticism of Bitcoin on Twitter (now X) has also raised doubts. But Newton explains that Len had a habit of being highly critical of his own projects. It would not have been out of character for him to criticize Bitcoin publicly, especially if he were trying to maintain his anonymity as Satoshi. Len’s deep belief in the power of open and permissionless networks aligns perfectly with the design and ethos of Bitcoin. He valued individual rights over centralized control, a philosophy that is at the heart of the cryptocurrency’s framework.
The Mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto
Newton admits that he and Len never directly discussed Bitcoin, which could be seen as a deliberate decision on Len’s part to keep his secret. Even though Newton doesn’t have definitive proof that Len was Satoshi Nakamoto, the possibility is hard to ignore when considering Len’s technical genius and personal values. If Len truly were Satoshi, it would be consistent with his low-key approach to life, his desire to remain anonymous, and his unwillingness to profit from his innovations.
Len Sassaman’s Legacy
Regardless of whether Len Sassaman was the man behind Bitcoin, his contributions to the world of technology were immense. He was a brilliant mind who dedicated his life to advancing the ideals of privacy, open networks, and technological empowerment. Len’s legacy lives on in the principles he believed in and the technology he helped create. As the world continues to speculate about the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, those who knew Len remember him as a man who deserved far better from the world than what he received. His memory will continue to inspire those who share his vision for a freer and more open internet.
