More than 100 emails written by Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto have recently been made public, revealing new insights about his early workings and a mysterious donor. The emails, which were written over 15 years ago, provide the largest supplement of information about Nakamoto to date. Of particular interest is the “mysterious donor” behind Nakamoto, as this is the first time he explicitly stated his support for those working to build the Bitcoin economy and his early efforts to price Bitcoin in US dollars. Prior to the release of these emails, there was no evidence to support these claims. Here is what is known so far:
Legendary Donation
The emails show that Nakamoto knew a donor who provided $3,600 in funding for the project in 2010. At the time, this money could have purchased over 58,000 bitcoins, based on the price of $0.06 per bitcoin. This donor made a significant sacrifice for the long-term development of Bitcoin.
The conversation about the “donor” took place between Nakamoto and Martti Malmi, an early Bitcoin developer, but only lasted for a year.
July 2009:
Nakamoto initiated the conversation by saying:
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August 2009:
Martti consulted Nakamoto about raising funds for his newly established Bitcoin exchange platform, Bitcoin Market.
Although Nakamoto mentioned that he hoped this matter could be “independent” of his involvement, he did mention the possibility of finding a “sponsor” for the idea.
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June 2010:
Nakamoto mentioned again that he received a $2,000 donation. He stated that this money needed to be transferred to Martti to keep his identity hidden.
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July 2010:
The donor had not yet sent any funds to Martti.
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July 2010:
Nakamoto responded by saying he would contact the donor again to prioritize the payment.
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July 2010:
Martti received a $3,600 donation and agreed to use it for project expenses, such as web hosting services.
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July 2010:
Nakamoto agreed to allocate $1,000 to Martti’s new exchange platform. It is worth noting that Nakamoto also believed this money could be lent to other businesses that might accept Bitcoin.
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This is all the information known so far about the donor. Their identity remains a mystery. However, it is clear that this donor’s sacrifice played a significant role in the early success of Bitcoin. Regardless of who this person is, Bitcoin owes them a debt of gratitude.