It may have happened with less fanfare than in recent bull runs but the cryptocurrency world still marked the 16th anniversary of the Bitcoin white paper with a familiar celebratory mood.

Bitcoin developers reflected on the steady adoption of the world's most-used cryptocurrency, Bitcointalk users carved pumpkins, and even Trump repeated support for crypto in the runup to the US elections next week.

Bitcoin business people also cheered the 15th anniversary of the world's first Bitcoin ATM, while the latest incarnation of a Satoshi Nakamoto pretender showed up in London on Halloween for a press conference in a comical (failed) attempt to prove his identity.

The Bitcoin White Paper: a blueprint for peer-to-peer digital money

When Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous entity behind Bitcoin's creation, published a document titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System", they tellingly left out the superlatives typically found in crypto projects and white papers. Terms like "decentralisation" and "revolutionary" are favourites of people who try to describe crypto. Arguably, only Bitcoin is accurately described with these terms.

This paper laid the foundation for Bitcoin, introducing the world to a decentralised, peer-to-peer network that solved digital money's double-spending problem without the need to trust a central authority. The white paper's publication is often seen as the birth of Bitcoin, a currency that operates without the need for traditional financial intermediaries and that is available to all without restrictions.

The first Bitcoin ATM: bridging the digital and physical worlds

In the physical world, Bitcoin's introduction to the mainstream may have started with the first Bitcoin automated teller machine (ATM) in Vancouver, Canada. Using the machine, you could exchange cash for Bitcoin. In the years that followed, Bitcoin ATMs sprouted up all over the world -- though many didn't operate for very long for lack of demand.

Today, it's so easy to get your hands on Bitcoin and crypto and for much cheaper than using a Bitcoin ATM. Nevertheless, it marked a significant step in bringing cryptocurrency into the physical world. Today, the mere sight of an ATM or the Bitcoin logo symbolises the growing acceptance and practical use of Bitcoin beyond the digital realm.

Where and who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Another man steps forward on Halloween

It is well-known that Bitcoin's creator disappeared not long after Bitcoin started achieving recognition as a viable currency. Their whereabouts, as well as their identity or identities, continue to fascinate crypto enthusiasts, journalists, and even governments.

Over the past years, numerous individuals have claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, creating a virtual ghost parade of would-be cryptographers emerging from the shadows. Each claim has unraveled under scrutiny, revealing more tricks than treats.

To the Bitcoin user, proving the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto is a straightforward task. One would simply need to demonstrate access to the private keys of Satoshi's known Bitcoin addresses. Yet none of these claimants has successfully done this; many don't even attempt it.

So when a press conference was called for on 31 October 2024 in London, with a Stephen Mollah claiming that he would access Satoshi's Bitcoin address in a public demonstration, some journalists took the bait. Only for Mollah to fumble with a laptop, citing "technical issues".

The latest "reveal" of Satoshi Nakamoto in London panned out more like a gothic Halloween masquerade than a factual disclosure. Amidst the flickering lamps and creaking doors, the so-called Satoshi's performance was a chilling reminder of the lengths to which imposters will go. The press conference, an eerie spectacle, culminated in a dramatic, yet ultimately hollow, unveiling, much like an elaborate ghost story with no real haunting.

These claimants’ continuous failures highlight the relentless pursuit of fame or fortune shadowed by the phantom of the real Satoshi. The true creator's anonymity has become a crypto legend, a ghost story whispered through the digital corridors of blockchain forums. Proving their identity would not only require the cryptographic signatures but also a detailed knowledge of early Bitcoin development, something only the real Satoshi could convincingly demonstrate.

The latest London spectacle, though entertaining, did little to advance the quest for Satoshi. As Halloween night descended, the crypto community watched with bemused skepticism, well aware that the true Satoshi, much like the Great Pumpkin, may never actually emerge. The events serve as a reminder of the enduring enigma that shrouds Bitcoin's origin, leaving us pondering the ghosts of the past and the mysteries yet to be unraveled.

The convergence of these three events highlights the remarkable journey of Bitcoin from a theoretical concept to a global phenomenon. The white paper's anniversary reminds us of the innovative vision behind Bitcoin and continues to guide many developers, while the first Bitcoin ATM represents the practical steps taken to integrate cryptocurrency into everyday life. The occasional false revelations of Satoshi Nakamoto add a layer of intrigue and closure to the ongoing saga of Bitcoin's origins.

If you don't believe it or don't get it, I don't have the time to try to convince you, sorry.