• During the Bitcoin 2024 Conference, journalist Tucker Carlson sparked controversy by suggesting that the CIA created Bitcoin.
• Saifedean Ammous, author of “The Bitcoin Standard,” dismissed these theories, asserting that Bitcoin’s software is transparent and has been thoroughly audited.

While speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference last Friday, popular independent journalist Tucker Carlson ignited several sparks in the crypto community alleging that Bitcoin was developed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This begs the question in everyone’s mind whether the pseudonymous Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto is sitting in the CIA.

Carlson, who’s a strong proponent of BTC’s transformative potential for financial sovereignty, believes that the origin of Bitcoin could be less organic. He said:

“Crypto people aren’t just in it to make a buck. They’re in it to change the world forever. These are not shallow people. These are people who can answer every single question except who was Satoshi, which they don’t answer. Someone should answer that. Did nope. I think we know.”

Interestingly, Carlson also said a person inside the room knew Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity. But Carlson goes on to add that he doesn’t believe the informer. “In fact, I have a friend who’s probably sitting here who told me he did know, but I don’t believe him.”

Tucker Carlson continued to praise BTC for bringing financial freedom to its investors, irrespective of whether the CIA created it or not. He concluded, “And I don’t care if it was the CIA. It doesn’t matter. The idea is still a great idea. Obviously, it was the CIA. I think we all know that. It’s like Signal. They got there first. It’s a honeytap.”

Does Bitcoin Have Hidden Layers?

Tucker Carlson’s mention of the CIA triggered discussions within the Bitcoin community. Conspiracy theorist David Icke linked this to the current political movement, questioning, “If the CIA started Bitcoin, Tucker, and now Trump and his Silicon Valley coterie are pushing it, then do you think by any chance that there might be more to know?”

However, Saifedean Ammous, author of the popular book The Bitcoin Standard, rejected Icke’s doubts about any hidden layers associated with Bitcoin, stating: “Bitcoin is software you can read and audit yourself. There is nothing more to it than the software you read, and it’s been read by thousands for fifteen years.”

Tyler Durden, a well-known figure in the crypto community, denied any CIA connection, asserting that the agency’s involvement only came later with Ethereum. “It wasn’t CIA. They came in late with Ethereum because someone beat them to the punch with Bitcoin. So they’ve basically spent the last decade trying to build and kill crypto around Bitcoin which in turn would bring it down too. Unfortunately, that hasn’t worked now they’re fucked,” he said.

While these conspiracy theories float, the Bitcoin price has exhibited intense volatility in the past few hours, dripping to $62,000 and triggering more than $2.4 billion in leveraged long liquidations. As of press time, BTC is trading 0.13% at $64,456.69. Per the CNF update, analysts hope Bitcoin will hit $90,000.

Just as the Fed decided to hold interest rates steady, the BTC price crashed to under $64,000, as reported by CNF. On the other hand, Bitcoin ETFs have gained strong popularity among institutional investors in the US. According to the CNF update, BlackRock expects some model portfolios to seek exposure to BTC ETFs by year-end.