FameEX Hot Topics | New Satoshi Theory Points to the '2010 Megawhale' as Bitcoin's Creator

Bitcoin researchers have introduced a fresh theory suggesting that Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, may not have disappeared but has instead been strategically cashing out from early Bitcoin wallets since 2019. According to a November 19 post by the Bitcoin research firm BTCparser, Nakamoto might be linked to a collection of Bitcoin wallet addresses from 2010, each holding 50 Bitcoin, which remained inactive until their first transfer in late 2019.

BTCparser named this mysterious activity the "2010 megawhale" and speculated that Nakamoto deliberately left the 2009 wallets untouched to avoid drawing attention. "It leads me to suspect that the enigmatic 2010 megawhale might actually be Satoshi," BTCparser stated. However, the firm emphasized that this theory is far from conclusive, labeling it as speculation rather than fact.

If Satoshi Nakamoto is indeed behind the 2010 wallets, BTCparser believes it reflects a meticulous strategy to maintain anonymity. By utilizing Bitcoin from the later wallets instead of the more famous 2009 stash, Nakamoto may have aimed to deflect scrutiny. “Using these later coins avoids drawing attention to the original stash, preserving anonymity and reducing the risk of revealing Satoshi’s identity,” the research noted, painting a picture of a creator who planned carefully to protect their privacy.

The liquidation process of these funds reveals a deliberate approach. Bitcoins from the 2010 wallets were first pooled into a single P2SH address, commonly used for escrow purposes, and then distributed to multiple bech32 addresses, a modern address type known for lower transaction fees and efficient use of blockchain space. This setup indicates strategic planning in handling the funds.

The first major sale occurred in November 2019, involving $5 million worth of Bitcoin. Subsequent transactions included sales in the $6-8 million range in March 2020 and $11-13 million in October 2020. The most recent and largest sale was a $176 million liquidation on November 15, 2024. BTCparser noted that the timing and increasing sales volumes align with Bitcoin’s rising value, suggesting calculated cash-outs by the whale.

BTCparser further speculated that the crypto exchange receiving these deposits likely holds critical information about the person or entity behind these transactions unless intermediaries were used to obscure the identity. While the theory remains speculative, it adds intrigue to the enduring mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for reference only and does not represent any investment advice or the official views of FameEX.