Satoshi Emails: Uncovering Early Bitcoin Lore

Recently, Martti Malmi, an early collaborator of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, shared 120 pages of email correspondences between them on GitHub. These emails were initially introduced as evidence in a court case against Craig Wright, who claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto. Despite our examination of the emails, there is no definitive proof of Satoshi’s true identity. For those interested in Bitcoin history, the emails contain intriguing quotes and reflect Satoshi’s straightforward and comprehensive style seen in the Bitcoin whitepaper.

One interesting revelation from the emails is that Satoshi did not come up with the term “cryptocurrency” as previously believed. In an email to Malmi, Satoshi mentioned that someone else had invented the word and suggested using it to describe Bitcoin. Malmi agreed, stating that it sounded better than “digital P2P cash.”

The correspondence also reveals Satoshi’s understanding of anonymity and the potential risks of misinformation. Satoshi emphasized the need to de-emphasize the anonymous aspect of Bitcoin, as it was not automatically anonymous due to the use of bitcoin addresses instead of IP addresses. Satoshi foresaw the rise of blockchain forensics and warned about the consequences if people assumed their transactions were anonymous.

The emails shed light on Satoshi’s thoughts regarding the scalability of Bitcoin. In one email, Satoshi discussed the possibility of Bitcoin reaching a larger user base and how to handle the increased demand. He proposed a potential solution through a layer of micropayment channels, envisioning a future where transactions could be conducted off-chain to alleviate the strain on the main blockchain.

The emails touch upon the practical aspects of Bitcoin’s development. Satoshi mentioned the challenges of maintaining compatibility between different software versions, ensuring backward compatibility to avoid causing disruptions for users. He also acknowledged the importance of security and cautioned against rushing the release of new features without thorough testing.

The emails show that Satoshi was open to collaboration and input from others. He sought Malmi’s opinion on various matters, indicating a willingness to consider different perspectives. This collaborative approach reflects the decentralized nature of Bitcoin’s development, as Satoshi understood the value of diverse contributions to the project.

The publication of these email correspondences provides valuable insights into the early days of cryptocurrency and Satoshi Nakamoto’s mindset. While his true identity remains a mystery, the emails offer a glimpse into his thoughts on topics like the term “cryptocurrency,” anonymity, scalability, software development, and collaboration. For those interested in the history and lore of Bitcoin, these emails serve as a fascinating resource.