Bitcoin Users Raise $27,000 for the Elderly Man Newsweek Claims is Bitcoin's Founder

Nice guy, Bitcoin.

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Last week, Newsweek published a story that identified a 64-year-old man living in Southern California as the mysterious founder of Bitcoin.

Readers, though, went to great lengths to show holes in the writer's article, which were supported when the man, Satoshi Nakamoto, denied the accusation when reporters showed up at his house with questions, as they tend to do. Nakamoto seems like a "humble" man: he collects model trains, drives an affordable car, wears big eyeglasses, and looks not much different than other men his age. So, the Bitcoin community, feeling sympathy for the attention this man is now getting that has disrupted his quiet life, is raising money for him. It's their own way of saying sorry. 

"I have no idea if this person is Satoshi, though it seems increasingly unlikely. However, it doesn't matter either way. If this person is Satoshi, then the funds are a small 'thanks' and won't make much of a difference," said the man behind the fundAndreas Antonopoulos.

"However, if this person is not Satoshi, then these funds will serve as a 'sorry for what happened to you', help with medical bills his family is facing, any legal bills they may incur, or anything else. Most of all, it serves to soften the damage caused by irresponsible journalism and to demonstrate the generosity and empathy of the community, which I know is huge."

So far, the fund has raised 43.8175882BTC, which is about $27,000 in Bitcoins. If he refuses them, they will be donated to charity.

[via Telegraph]

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