Bitcoin’s origin story is once again under the spotlight. This time, television host Tucker Carlson has revived one of crypto’s most controversial theories. During a private event, Carlson claimed Bitcoin might have been created by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). His remarks came as Bitcoin trades above $100,000, drawing renewed attention to its anonymous founder, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Carlson Questions Bitcoin’s Origins
Carlson made his comments during a Turning Point USA event. He told attendees that he avoids investing in Bitcoin due to the mystery surrounding its creator. “I try to limit myself to things I understand,” he said. “And nobody can explain who Satoshi Nakamoto was.”
He questioned why Bitcoin’s founder remains anonymous despite the currency’s global dominance. “You’re telling me to invest in something whose founder is mysterious and holds billions in unused Bitcoin?” he added. Carlson then linked Nakamoto to the CIA, saying, “Obviously it was the CIA. We all know that.”
The claim echoes a theory Carlson first mentioned at the Bitcoin 2024 conference. Then, he suggested that the first world cryptocurrency might be connected to American intelligence services. His comments have since spread quickly online, reigniting old debates about Bitcoin’s creation and the true identity of its founder.
Reactions from the Crypto Community
Carlson’s remarks sparked immediate reactions from Bitcoin advocates. Many dismissed the theory as baseless, calling it another “conspiracy-driven” interpretation of crypto history. Bitcoin supporters argued that decentralization was the technology’s core feature from the beginning. One developer stated that the absence of a known founder strengthens Bitcoin, not weakens it.
Others said Carlson’s comments highlight a common misunderstanding of Bitcoin’s design. The anonymity of Satoshi Nakamoto, they argued, was intentional to prevent central control. Satoshi’s disappearance in 2011 left Bitcoin’s development open-source and community-driven. That structure, they added, has protected the network from state influence for over a decade.
Still, Carlson’s remarks have gained traction beyond crypto circles. A number of political pundits echoed his concerns, claiming that institutional investors are wary due to the lack of transparency. However, despite ongoing rumors regarding its origins, analysts point out that big companies and funds have kept accumulating Bitcoin this year.
Renewed Focus on Satoshi’s Identity
The mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto has persisted since Bitcoin’s whitepaper appeared online in 2008. Researchers estimate the pseudonymous founder mined more than one million BTC before disappearing in 2011. At today’s prices, that stash is worth over $120 billion. Any movement of those coins could shake global markets.
Theories about Satoshi’s identity have ranged from government agencies to private cryptographers. An HBO documentary released in 2024, titled Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, tried to identify Satoshi as Bitcoin Core engineer Peter Todd. Todd publicly denied the claim, calling it “false and irresponsible.”
No credible proof has been found to identify the creator of Bitcoin despite numerous investigations. Analysts say the anonymity fuels both intrigue and skepticism.
Carlson’s comments come as Bitcoin maintains a strong rally above $100,000. In the last 24 hours, the cryptocurrency increased by more than 1.2% to reach about $110,000. Traders attribute the movement to optimism after recent ETF approvals and continued institutional inflows. Meanwhile, as investors look for alternate stores of value amid global uncertainty, the narrative surrounding the “gold-to-Bitcoin” rotation has grown stronger.