Francis Pouliot’s 2019 discovery of Satoshi Nakamoto’s pre-release Bitcoin source code sent waves through the Bitcoin community at the time. Uncovering some fascinating elements about the original vision of the protocol is never a boring topic in BTC circles. And Pouliot’s excitement was well-founded. What he discovered revealed a new angle on Bitcoin’s historical narrative and some long-debated aspects of the early days of its development. Let’s revisit that epic thread.
Rediscovered Code from 2008
The Bitcoin source code from November 2008 reveals some mind-blowing artifacts. For example, it refers to the now-ubiquitous term “miner,” meaning Satoshi himself invented it! The earliest reference to “BitcoinMiner” can be found in this pre-release version. In addition, the terms “COIN” and “CENT” were used as original units within the code. What’s striking here is that CENT was intended to represent what we now know as Satoshis (SATS), the smallest units of Bitcoin. This emphasizes Satoshi’s grand vision of Bitcoin as a micro-payment system right from the start.
The Timechain Debate
One of the most controversial revelations is the term “Timechain”, which Satoshi used in place of the now more popular term “blockchain.” In the code, a timechain was defined as a tree-like structure where the “longest chain” of blocks becomes the valid one. This has ignited debates, as some Bitcoin maximalists prefer the purity of the term “Timechain,” seeing “blockchain” as a word that’s been hijacked by other projects. Despite this, Satoshi eventually replaced Timechain with Blockchain, a change likely influenced by practical realities like the unpredictability of block times and network constraints.
Bitcoin’s “Pre-Genesis Block” & Other Rare Gems
Pouliot’s excitement also stems from uncovering details about Satoshi’s pre-genesis block, which carried the nonce 141755. This block, although never truly used to launch the network, represents a historical artifact. It highlights the rigorous review process Satoshi conducted, involving multiple collaborators who reviewed the code before mining the genesis block. This discovery suggests Satoshi wasn’t alone in his efforts, dispelling the myth that he was the sole actor when Bitcoin launched.
The Mysterious “Bitcoin Atoms”
Interestingly, the source code also includes references to something Pouliot called “Bitcoin Atoms”, a cryptic term that never made it into any later versions of the Bitcoin protocol. It appears to have been a reputation system where nodes would gain “atoms” based on their block validation efforts. This idea was never revisited or implemented, leaving speculation as to why it was abandoned. Whether this was a technical limitation or simply a discarded concept remains unknown.
More Recent Finds
Amir Taaki, a Bitcoin dev from 2010 and founder of DarkWallet, has offered fascinating insights into Satoshi’s coding style, which he describes as highly unusual and eccentric. Taaki notes that Satoshi’s code did not follow conventional practices of modern programming at the time, making it stand out to those familiar with software development.
One of the first things Taaki observed was how Satoshi’s work did not align with contemporary programming standards, leading him to initially believe that Satoshi was not a traditional programmer. Instead of adhering to typical code structures, Satoshi’s work was filled with idiosyncratic decisions, something that has since intrigued developers and Bitcoin historians alike.
One of the most striking aspects Taaki points out is Satoshi’s use of locks, a programming technique that was already considered outdated in 2008. Furthermore, Satoshi employed Hungarian notation, a naming convention for variables that had fallen out of use by most programmers at the time. Additionally, Satoshi’s code was riddled with spaghetti-like function recursions, bypassing the object-oriented design that was standard practice for most modern coders by then.
These quirks, combined with Satoshi’s decision to specifically target Windows systems for development, led Taaki to speculate that Nakamoto might not have been a professional software developer. Instead, Taaki suggests that Satoshi could have come from a related technical field, such as engineering or physics, which would explain the more practical but non-conventional style.
Despite Satoshi’s unorthodox methods, Taaki emphasizes the personal nature of the code, noting that it did not evolve much between 2008 and 2010. This consistency in style is unusual, and Taaki believes that an in-depth analysis of the code could reveal much about Satoshi’s identity. However, Taaki acknowledges that neither he nor other Bitcoin developers have taken the time to perform such an analysis, partly out of respect for Satoshi’s desire for anonymity.
While many have speculated about Satoshi’s identity, Taaki maintains that the code itself is the key, anyone who claims to be Satoshi should be able to back it up with coding evidence. “Show me the code,” he states, should be the default response in these discussions, underscoring the community’s collective reluctance to engage in this detective work.
Satoshi’s Mystique Lives On
The discovery of Satoshi Nakamoto’s early Bitcoin code comes at a time when efforts to unmask the elusive creator are intensifying. HBO recently released a documentary series that delved into the mystery surrounding Nakamoto’s identity, even bringing Peter Todd, a prominent Bitcoin core developer, into the spotlight. Todd, who has long been part of the Bitcoin ecosystem, emphatically denied any involvement in the creation of Bitcoin and has been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in the space. Despite his denial, Todd’s inclusion in the conversation reflects the never-ending curiosity about Satoshi’s true identity.
In contrast, Craig Wright, who for years claimed to be Satoshi faced substantial legal battles and public scrutiny. Wright’s attempts to convince the world of his claim were met with skepticism, and in various legal cases, he failed to provide convincing evidence. In fact, in a recent high-profile trial, Wright was discredited, with the court labeling his behavior as deceptive, further confirming the public’s doubt about his authenticity as Nakamoto. These events underscore the ongoing tension in the community, where the identity of Bitcoin’s creator remains a tantalizing mystery, and those who lay claim to it are met with rigorous scrutiny.
Another Window into Satoshi’s Vision
This rediscovery offered a window into Bitcoin’s technical past. And maybe a reminder of the philosophies that underpin it. Whether it’s the deep roots of decentralization, Satoshi’s clever terminology, or his ultimate decision to evolve the system over time, this piece of history will likely continue to inspire.
With renewed attention on Bitcoin’s origins, venture capital has also surged into the space, funding innovations that continue Satoshi’s legacy. While some projects have tried to capture the magic of blockchain (or timechain), Satoshi’s original vision endures, with Bitcoin continuing to lead the charge in decentralized finance.
Author Profile
- Lucy Walker covers finance, health and beauty since 2014. She has been writing for various online publications.
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