Updated on:12/20/2025 05:03 PM 
Canadian cryptographic expert Peter Todd has gone into protective hiding following the release of an HBO documentary that incorrectly identifies him as Bitcoin's mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, according to an October 22 report from Wired.
The documentary titled "Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery" premiered on October 9 and made controversial claims to have finally uncovered the true identity of the reclusive Bitcoin founder after years of global speculation.
Directed by filmmaker Cullen Hoback, the documentary examines several potential candidates for the title of Bitcoin's creator, ultimately focusing on Todd, who appears in the film's final scenes making a statement that has since been taken out of context.
Todd has since clarified that his remark was part of a humorous exchange and not a genuine claim to be Nakamoto. He has consistently refuted these allegations, labeling them both factually incorrect and potentially dangerous to his personal safety.
In an exclusive interview with Wired, Todd detailed his serious security concerns following the documentary's broadcast. He emphasized that Nakamoto's decision to remain anonymous was a deliberate and prudent choice in the cryptocurrency world, arguing that the community should respect the creator's desire for privacy and cease attempts to unmask them.
"The risks are very real," Todd stated, explaining how the documentary's focus has made him a target of unwanted attention and potential threats from those who take the film's narrative at face value.
Todd revealed that he initially agreed to participate in the documentary believing it would provide a historical overview of Bitcoin's development, not attempt to expose its creator's identity. Now, he says, the unwarranted attention has forced him to take extraordinary measures to ensure his personal safety.
While the documentary features footage of Todd jokingly referencing himself as Satoshi Nakamoto, he compared the moment to the iconic scene from the 1960 film Spartacus, where captured warriors each claim to be their leader to protect the real figure's identity.
Todd dismissed his remarks as nothing more than a light-hearted reference to a phrase commonly used within the Bitcoin community when discussing the elusive founder.
Despite Todd's objections, director Hoback has defended the documentary's conclusions. In statements to Wired, Hoback argued that identifying Nakamoto is of critical importance, given the individual's potential influence on the cryptocurrency market through control of a substantial portion of Bitcoin's total supply.
However, the documentary's claims have failed to gain traction within the broader cryptocurrency community, which remains highly skeptical that Todd is the actual Satoshi Nakamoto. Many crypto experts and enthusiasts view the evidence presented as circumstantial and weak, with insufficient proof connecting Todd to Bitcoin's creation.
As the debate continues, Todd has called for greater respect for Nakamoto's privacy, warning that unfounded speculation about the creator's identity serves no productive purpose and creates tangible risks for those falsely implicated in such theories.
