Dear Nick
The final emails between Nick Szabo and Hal Finney, the likely creators of Bitcoin
April 4, 2011
From:[email protected]
Subject: Sat
Dear Nick,
I hope this message finds you well. I admit your last message left me distressed. I’m sorry for my delayed response, but it is becoming more difficult for me to type out these messages on my own. ALS quickly destroys my motor functions . It’s the most helpless I’ve ever felt.
I did not reach out to complain to you about my failing health, but to implore you to reconsider leaving the Bitcoin project. BlockChain has exceeded my wildest expectations. We are and will always be Satoshi Nakamoto, and it was wise of us to use that alias as a buffer. Powerful international banks have manipulated fiat currency for countless generations, but they will not be able to print out more Bitcoin. We have given the world an alternative.
I want you to always remember why we embarked down this path in the first place. I only mention my grave condition because I’ve had more time lately to consider our legacy. Besides my wonderful family, there is nothing in this world I am prouder of than what we started with Bitcoin. Mining the first coin will be a memory I cherish for the rest of my life.
I have accepted my fate. I will not be here when the world grasps the beauty of what we have created! Bitcoin will outlive us both. I need you to please reconsider your last email to me, Nick. I admit the institutions we are challenging makes this a particularly dangerous venture, but we cannot give up now. I will fight until my final day for what we have created, and who it stands to protect. I know I have never written to you with such urgency or candor, but I cannot let this go.
Sincerely,
Hal
April 28, 2011
From:[email protected]
Subject: Re:Sat
Dear Hal,
I’m sorry to hear about your worsening medical condition. I cannot imagine the pain you must be enduring. I wish you would save your energy. You know my mind cannot be changed on Satoshi or Bitcoin. I prefer not to have this discussion this way, but I understand your recent sense of urgency. I owe you the respect of having this conversation.
You know I will protect what we say with my life, and I hope you do the same on your end. One thing is for sure my friend; your legacy will forever be protected by me. I will however hold you to our original agreement when we started this project.
Bitcoin has no master, and this is by design. You know I never wanted us, or Satoshi, to ever be the face of this monetary revolution. We’re only Computer Scientists! I participated in this project with you mostly to see if I could make it work. To me, this is just a code. I still remember you reaching out to me about BitGold. It seemed like a once in a lifetime type of challenge. It made even more sense with everything going on in the financial world.
Bitcoin is now out of our hands, as it was meant to be, and I will let them try to dissect it. Bitcoin is only the beginning. Once this is out, and accepted, another version will come along that’s faster and anonymous, but we have opened their eyes. We gave it a name, and now we wait.
Let Gavin take it from here, he’ll be the face. We already have a strong following because it makes absolutely perfect sense. Our names will forever be linked to Bitcoin lore, and eventually they will realize the simplicity and genius of what we have created. It cannot be denied, but they will try.
Now Hal, I need you to listen to me carefully. We must be cautious, the powers that be will resist us all the way. I am so sorry for you, and your family. I wish we could be closer but I am sifting through endless projects. I have moved on from Bitcoin, and I will not return. We do not own Bitcoin. Our Genesis Wallet holds the 800K coins that will never be moved. Those keys die with us. That money dies with us. Those coins will never be in supply, and that’s the point.
Rest assured, we did the right thing, but you must let this go. Worry only about your health, and spending time with those you love the most. I know how much this means to you. At this time, it just seems like the last thing you should worry about. Be assured, we did all we could.
Sincerely,
Nick
March 4, 2013
From:[email protected]
Subject: Fungible
Dear Nick,
Before I announce it to the world, I wanted you to hear it from me first. I am dictating this message to you because I am now totally paralyzed, Nick. I am left immobile in this godforsaken wheelchair with nothing left but my wild thoughts. My mind remains as strong as ever, but I can no longer hold my wife or children. I have months or maybe even weeks left to live. Thank you for your concerns, but there is nothing else anyone can do for my body.
So what I say next is of the utmost urgency: We desperately need to work on a privacy update for Bitcoin. Bitcoin needs Satoshi right now. Nick, you are a brilliant polymath, and Bitcoin needs us. I challenge you one last time. We must correct this mistake. If Bitcoin were ever to be a significant player in the market that we created, then people need anonymity inside our network, and they demand it. Would you ever have dreamed a single Bitcoin would be worth $34?
Nick, you must promise me that you will go back and fix this, this is OUR legacy, and we can’t abandon it now! You must not abandon me now. Without this upgrade, the true potential of Bitcoin will eventually be lost. We both know that if it remains tarnished in this way, Bitcoin will have to be replaced. The idea that Satoshi or Bitcoin will eventually be forgotten sets upon me a kind of panic that I cannot describe in words.
Do you remember my message before I received the first Bitcoin transaction? “The computer can be used as a tool to liberate and protect people, rather than control them.” I know I will not be around to witness the flourishing of what we have created, but we have to make this safer for everyone to use. Please Nick, help me die in peace. We must make Bitcoin fungible.
Sincerely,
Hal
August 28, 2014
From:[email protected]
Subject: Re:Fungible
Dearest Hal,
I would seldomly describe myself as speechless, but this is one of those heartbreaking moments. There was nothing left to say between us. If I had responded in time, it would only have disappointed you. You were taken far too soon my brilliant friend. Concern yourself no more with this place. Your presence was a great service to all those lucky enough to know you. Rest in peace now, Satoshi.
Sincerely,
Nick
About the Creator
Jason Paulino
Sci-Fi nerd, self-published novelist, written content creator, avid reader, and blogger @ ChosenNovels.com.
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