The creator of Bitcoin signed off with a technical message on the Bitcoin Talk forum. Since then, his identity has remained unknown.
Satoshi Nakamoto is the name listed as the author of the Bitcoin founding document, published in October 2008. To this day, his identity remains unconfirmed. However, it is known that between 2009 and 2010, Nakamoto actively participated in the development of the cryptocurrency's software and in technical discussions within the forum. Bitcoin talk, which was a space he himself created to bring together the first collaborators of the project.
On December 12, 2010, Nakamoto posted his last public message on that forum. The text, titled “Added some DoS limits, removed safe mode (0.3.19)”, addressed technical adjustments in the Bitcoin Core version 0.3.19Satoshi Nakamoto explained the addition of limits to reduce the risk of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, a threat that had been a constant concern since the network's inception. He acknowledged that Bitcoin's software was still not completely secure against these attacks, despite the improvements. He also announced the removal of safe mode, a temporary measure used to correct a critical bug in the previous version.
“As Gavin and I have clearly stated before, the software is not at all resistant to DoS attacks. This is an improvement, but there are still more ways to attack than I can list.”, wrote Nakamoto.
This message from Nakamoto contained no farewells or personal references. It was a straightforward, functional technical update. However, It marked the end of his public participationFrom that moment on, the creator of Bitcoin stopped posting on the forum and his online presence faded away.
Buy BTC: Satoshi's legacy lives onSatoshi Nakamoto broke away from the media spotlight to protect Bitcoin
Before that final message, Satoshi Nakamoto had already begun to distance himself from the public eye. One reason was the announcement that WikiLeaks would start accepting Bitcoin donations. For many, this was a validation point for the cryptocurrency, but Nakamoto saw risks in that exposure. In previous emails, he had warned that the project was still in a very early stage and that receiving too much public attention could negatively affect its development.
After disappearing from the forum, Nakamoto remained in contact with some key developers via email. Between April 20 and 23, 2011, he wrote to Mike Hearn to inform him that he had decided to dedicate himself to other interests. In those messages, he expressed complete confidence in Gavin Andresen, who played a central role in the evolution of the Bitcoin code.
On April 26, Nakamoto wrote again, this time to Andresen. In that exchange, he asked that the narrative portraying him as a mysterious figure be avoided. He felt that this image contributed to the media linking Bitcoin with illegal activities. Instead, He urged highlighting the transparent and open nature of the project and the collective work of the community..
Trade Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, on Bit2MeNakamoto's last digital trail: He clarified the identity behind Bitcoin
Although the December 12th message was his last public post on the forum, records indicate that Nakamoto logged on the following day. While he didn't leave any new comments, many believe this activity was related to him reviewing replies, completing pending tasks, or tying up loose ends.
His Bitcoin Talk account, under the pseudonym “satoshi”, accumulated 575 publications since its creation on November 19, 2009Each of these publications is now part of the public archive that documents the early steps of the Bitcoin network.
In 2011, correspondence with Hearn and Andresen ceased, and since then, no direct contact with Satoshi Nakamoto has been confirmed. However, in 2014, a message appeared on the P2P Foundation forum that read “I am not Dorian Nakamoto.” That brief statement, linked to the original email from the creator of Bitcoin, clearly refuted the speculations that linked the Japanese physicist Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto to the creation of Bitcoin.
Although it was a one-off gesture, it showed that the real Satoshi Nakamoto was still keeping a watchful eye on how his story was being handled and the impact of his creation, although after that moment he never spoke publicly again.
Create your account and buy Bitcoin todayDecember 2010: The turning point in Bitcoin's history
Nakamoto's last post contained no philosophical musings or personal statements. It was a technical note about software improvements. However, its content reflects the creator's core concerns: network security, code transparency, and the need to maintain a public image that wouldn't distort the project's purpose.
The phrase “there are more ways to attack than I can count” sums up his awareness of the technical challenges. It also reveals that his retirement wasn't an escape, but a strategic decision to cede control to the community.
Since then, Bitcoin has evolved under the tutelage of independent developers, foundations, and technical groups that keep the open source spirit.
For the crypto community, the message of December 12, 2010, represents a key turning point: it marks the end of the era founded by Nakamoto and the beginning of a new phase where the community takes center stage without the visible presence of its creator. This shift has been crucial in consolidating the decentralized and resilient nature that distinguishes Bitcoin today.
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