Was the first reply to the Bitcoin White Paper Satoshi himself? In-depth theory

Since Satoshi Natamoto, the anonymous inventor of Bitcoin, disappeared in 2011, there have been no shortage of theories about your identity.

Hal Finney, Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, Nick Szabo and Craig Wright have been cited as potential contenders (even if CSW is the main person pushing that latest theory).

Now after months of research Quantum economicsGamefi's research director Gerald Votta believes he has found the answer to Satoshi's true identity: Canadian cryptographer James A. Donald. In a new Investigation article In a Nov. 17 article, Votta described intriguing circumstantial evidence that he believes proves the link.

Donald was the first person to comment on the Bitcoin white paper in 2008, which piqued Votta's interest. Votta wrote that the "almost instantaneous" moment was "very suspicious" and led him to "further investigate his [Donaldโ€™s] life."

He explained to Cointelegraph:

โ€œIf you look at the moment, Donald comments minutes after the Bitcoin White Paper is published and asks Satoshi such a specific question: How could you read the White Paper, analyze it, and come up with this incredible question of scale like three minutes? It's almost impossible ".

Votta wrote that Donald also fitted the bill perfectly: "Donald not only had advanced knowledge of computers, programming, and cryptography, but was also well versed in economics, history, and law. However, they would be his own words, which helped me connect him with Satoshi Nakamoto. "

This is not the first time the theory has emerged. In 2014, a forum mail User Bruno Kucinskas on a Bitcoin forum also pointed to the same evidence about the quick response that sparked a debate. One user argued that the timestamp varies between different files, and another suggested that the time zones were different, which would call into question the amount of time between posting and replying.

There is also the possibility for Satoshi and Donald to speak privately before posting the question and answer publicly. Votta told Cointelegraph that he had read all of these counterarguments, but that their evidence "speaks for itself." He noted that only Donald's project website, Crypto Kong, "is literally the incarnation of Bitcoin."

Votta's research delved into Crypto Kong, a software program that uses elliptic curve cryptography to sign documents electronically. "This particular program is eerily familiar to the fundamental foundation of Bitcoin," he wrote, with Votta's blog post delving into the similarities between the information on the site and the White Paper.

the echeque website contains the details of Crypto kong and "echeque.com" was the domain from Donald's email โ€œjames@echeque.comโ€. Donald emailed Satoshi from this address on at least one occasion, Votta said.

Adding to the evidence, in the Crypto Kong main page on the echeque website, there is a minimized example of Kong on the right side of the screen, with a digital signature that matches the one sent to Satoshi Nakamoto up to the thirty-fourth character.

So why would Satoshi have a conversation with himself from two separate directions if he was, in fact, Donald? In Votta's view, this tactic was a ploy to "maintain anonymity and generate a contrary view on Bitcoin."

Email correspondence between Satoshi and Donald. Source: metzdowd

He also supports his claim with evidence gathered by analyzing the written language Satoshi used. "[Donaldโ€™s] the communications contained language that made me think of Satoshi, โ€he wrote.

Related: From Dorian Nakamoto to Elon Musk: the incomplete list of people speculated to be Satoshi Nakamoto

It states that Satoshi's "excellent understanding of not only the English language, but also American English" means that he was likely born, raised, or studied in the US, UK, or a former British colony.

For example, Satoshi uses the word "Chancellor" and the British spelling of the word "favor. "

Likewise, he was able to connect Satoshi with Donald through the peculiar use of the word "Chaumian. "Donald used the word in a email reply on the Digicash patents on August 3, 2003, and Satoshi also used it in a email reply on February 11, 2009.

โ€œWith that, the mystery was solved. The chances that two people have these same credentials, a clear understanding of the American language and culture, and share almost the same White Paper are astronomically low, "said Votta.

Quantum Economics founder Mati Greenspan said Gerard had been working on the research for months, along with Vice President of Content Charles Bovaird, who "ensured proper research practices and the provision of information."

The reaction since the message was posted had been "outstanding," he said.

"It is by far one of our most popular pieces of research to date and we are still getting incredible feedback from vets in the industry."