YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Blockchain evidence suggests a link between Satoshi Nakamoto and a now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange that Kraken acquired in 2016. Coinbase director Conor Grogan shared his findings, pointing to a Satoshi-linked wallet that may have interacted with a centralized exchange.
According to Arkham Intelligence, Satoshi’s known Bitcoin (BTC) holdings total 1,096,354 BTC, valued at approximately $107 billion.
Satoshi Nakamoto Net Worth. Source: Arkham IntelligenceThese holdings are spread across 22,000 wallet addresses, including the ones known to have processed BTC transactions.
Satoshi BTC Holdings on Arkham. Source: Arkham IntelligenceThe data is based on the Patoshi Pattern, a mining signature many believe to be linked to Bitcoin’s creator. Grogan analyzed these wallet activities and shared his insights on X, stating that while direct proof is missing, the on-chain evidence strongly suggests the wallets belong to Satoshi Nakamoto.
Satoshi’s Wallet Sent Bitcoin to a Now-Kraken-Owned Exchange
Grogan found that 24 outbound transactions from Satoshi-linked wallets reached various addresses. One of these transactions went to wallet 1PYYj, which previously received BTC from Cavirtex, a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange that shut down before being acquired by Kraken.
Grogan called this the first documented on-chain connection between a Satoshi wallet and a centralized exchange (CEX). If accurate, this could mean Satoshi engaged with an exchange, possibly leaving Know Your Customer (KYC) records.
Kraken’s Link to Satoshi Identity. Source: Conor GroganKraken acquired Cavirtex in 2016, raising questions about whether the exchange retained any historical data related to these transactions. If KYC records were stored, Kraken’s CEO Jesse Powell may have access to information revealing Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity.
Blockchain Links Satoshi’s Bitcoin to a $3 Billion Wallet
Further analysis connected wallet 1PYYj to 12ib, a Bitcoin address that currently holds over $3 billion worth of BTC.
Satoshi Wallet Linked to Cavirtex. Source: Conor GroganIn addition, Grogan pointed out that 500 BTC sent to 1PYYj in 2010 could represent a Satoshi-era payment transaction. If confirmed, this would be one of the few known instances where Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin interacted with another entity.
These findings suggest that either Satoshi controlled these wallets or they belonged to an early Bitcoin user. Given that Bitcoin’s creator took extreme measures to remain anonymous, any link to a regulated exchange is significant.
Kraken’s Response Leaves Room for Speculation
Kraken’s reaction to Grogan’s claims added more uncertainty. The exchange responded with a brief message:
“We are all Satoshi.”
The statement did not confirm or deny whether Kraken has data on Satoshi Nakamoto. However, the response has drawn attention, with some questioning whether the exchange possesses undisclosed information about Bitcoin’s creator.
Kraken’s Satoshi Statement. Source: Kraken ExchangePrevious Claims on Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity
Multiple individuals have claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, though none have provided verifiable proof.
In previous years, Craig Wright asserted that he was Bitcoin’s creator, but his claim was legally dismissed. More recently, an HBO documentary explored whether Peter Todd, a core Bitcoin developer, could be Satoshi Nakamoto—a claim Todd strongly denied.
In October 2024, another individual, Stephen Mollah, appeared at a London press conference, stating he was the real Satoshi Nakamoto.
Stephen Mollah Claims Satoshi Identity. Source: Joe Tidy BBC NewsDespite ongoing investigations, Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity remains unknown. The latest blockchain data raises new questions, and if Kraken possesses historical records, the search for Bitcoin’s creator may take another turn.
The post Kraken’s Acquisition May Hold Clues to Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity first appeared on Coinchapter.
The post Kraken’s Acquisition May Hold Clues to Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity appeared first on Coinchapter.
