Recently disclosed email exchanges between Adam Back and the anonymous figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto have been presented as part of the ongoing COPA vs CSW trial.
These communications, provided by the Blockstream CEO, shed new light on the discussions that preceded the launch of Bitcoin, the innovative digital currency.
They document discussions that occurred four months prior to the official introduction of Bitcoin.
The Connection Between Satoshi and Back
The first email reveals a discussion between Back and Satoshi, with Satoshi ensuring the proper acknowledgment of Back’s “Hashcash” paper in his upcoming Bitcoin paper. In his email, Satoshi expresses his intention to incorporate Hashcash as part of a new approach to hash-based proof-of-work in electronic monetary systems.
In subsequent emails, Back suggests that Satoshi explore “B-money” by Wei Dai, a cryptographer who had previously proposed concepts similar to digital currency. Satoshi admits in response that he is not familiar with the B-money paper.
In a later correspondence, despite not having read the Bitcoin white paper at that point, Back advises Satoshi to review the “Micromint” paper, further adding to the array of ideas that influenced Bitcoin. According to Kraken Editor-At-Large Pete Rizzo, this paper represents an important new find.
The final email in the sequence informs Back of the imminent official software release of Bitcoin. Notably, Adam Back’s public remarks are consistent with these emails, indicating that he did not revisit Bitcoin until 2012.
A Principal Candidate for Satoshi
Despite numerous assertions linking him to the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, Back has consistently refuted these claims.
Despite various speculations about his involvement in the genesis of Bitcoin, Back maintains a steadfast position that the true identity of Satoshi remains a mystery. On various public platforms, including podcasts and interviews, Back has stressed that he did not play a role in the development or coding of Bitcoin.
However, even after the release of the newly uncovered emails, some members of the Bitcoin community remain unconvinced. “Why is he emailing himself?” questioned one user.