Interview with Peter Todd at Bitcoin Historico

The Shadowy Super Coder: Peter Todd's Journey as a Bitcoin Pioneer and His Recent Visit to El Salvador for Bitcoin HistóricoIn the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, few figures embody the enigmatic spirit of Bitcoin quite like Peter Todd. Dubbed the "shadowy super coder" in a high-profile HBO documentary, Todd has been a steadfast advocate for Bitcoin since its early days. His technical contributions, outspoken views, and unwavering support for decentralized finance have made him a legend in the crypto community. Recently, Todd made headlines by attending the inaugural Bitcoin Histórico conference in El Salvador, a landmark event that underscores the nation's bold embrace of Bitcoin as a tool for economic sovereignty.Who Is Peter Todd?Peter Todd is a Canadian software developer and Bitcoin Core contributor who has been deeply involved in the cryptocurrency space since 2010. With a background in computer science, Todd quickly became known for his innovative work on Bitcoin's protocol. He is the founder of OpenTimestamps, a project that uses Bitcoin's blockchain to create verifiable timestamps for data, proving existence without relying on trusted third parties. His public key fingerprint—37EC7D7B0A217CDB4B4E007E7FAB114267E4FA04—has become a hallmark of his cryptographic expertise.Todd's contributions extend beyond code. He has been a vocal proponent of Bitcoin's core principles: decentralization, censorship resistance, and financial freedom. Over the years, he has participated in numerous debates, conferences, and online discussions, often challenging mainstream narratives and pushing for technical improvements like Replace-by-Fee (RBF) and other scalability solutions. His X (formerly Twitter) handle, @peterktodd
, boasts over 200,000 followers, where he shares insights on everything from Bitcoin development to global geopolitics.

@peterktodd

The "Shadowy Super Coder" MonikerThe phrase "shadowy super coder" entered the public lexicon in October 2024 with the release of HBO's documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, directed by Cullen Hoback. The film speculated that Todd might be Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator. Todd vehemently denied the claim, calling it baseless and even humorous in interviews. Despite the denial, the label stuck, amplifying his mystique in a community already fascinated by Bitcoin's origins.This isn't the first time Todd has been in the spotlight for his privacy-focused persona. He has long advocated for pseudonymity and security in digital spaces, aligning with Bitcoin's ethos of empowering individuals over institutions. The documentary's portrayal, while controversial, highlighted Todd's deep technical knowledge and his role in shaping Bitcoin's evolution—qualities that have earned him respect among developers and enthusiasts alike.A Long-Time Bitcoin Advocate and SupporterTodd's advocacy for Bitcoin goes far beyond coding. He has consistently championed its potential to disrupt traditional finance, particularly in regions plagued by economic instability. In posts on X, Todd has praised Bitcoin's role in fostering financial inclusion and sovereignty, often drawing parallels to real-world conflicts and economic policies.His support extends to nations adopting Bitcoin. Todd has been particularly vocal about El Salvador's groundbreaking decision in 2021 to make Bitcoin legal tender—the first country to do so. In various posts, he has defended President Nayib Bukele's aggressive anti-gang measures, arguing that the resulting stability has created a safer environment for Bitcoin innovation.

@peterktodd

He has highlighted how El Salvador's "war on gangs" mirrors necessities in other conflict zones, like Ukraine, where he has shown support through emojis in his bio () and public statements.Todd's writings also critique international bodies like the IMF, which have pressured El Salvador over its Bitcoin strategy. He argues that Bitcoin offers a path to true economic independence, free from fiat currency pitfalls. His recent article on covenant-dependent Layer 2 solutions, sponsored by Fulgur Ventures, further demonstrates his commitment to advancing Bitcoin's technical frontiers, exploring protocols like Ark and CheckTemplateVerify (CTV) to enhance scalability without compromising decentralization.Heading to El Salvador for Bitcoin HistóricoIn a move that thrilled the Bitcoin community, Peter Todd attended the Bitcoin Histórico conference in San Salvador on November 12–13, 2025. Organized by El Salvador's National Bitcoin Office—a world-first government entity dedicated to cryptocurrency—the two-day event celebrated Bitcoin's role in financial freedom and economic transformation.

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Held in the historic heart of the capital, it marked the first government-backed Bitcoin conference globally, drawing industry leaders, scholars, and enthusiasts to discuss adoption, innovation, and policy.Todd's participation was announced by the Bitcoin Office itself, prompting him to quip on X: "Pretty sure this is the first time a government body has announced my attendance at a conference."

@peterktodd

This was no small feat; Todd has been selective about events, even pulling out of others like Adopting Bitcoin due to disagreements over codes of conduct and funding. His presence at Bitcoin Histórico aligned perfectly with his advocacy, as he has long supported El Salvador's Bitcoin experiment.During the conference, Todd engaged in discussions on Bitcoin's future, sharing insights from his Layer 2 research and emphasizing how nations like El Salvador can leverage cryptocurrency for prosperity. Attendees noted his enthusiasm for the country's geothermal energy initiatives and its Bitcoin treasury, which has grown amid rising prices. The event also highlighted El Salvador's progress, from reduced crime rates enabling safer tourism to innovative projects like Bitcoin education in schools.Todd's visit wasn't just about speaking; it symbolized his broader support for Bitcoin's real-world applications. In posts leading up to and following the event, he praised El Salvador's resilience, contrasting it with global economic challenges and reinforcing why Bitcoin matters for sovereign nations.Why This Matters: A Beacon for Bitcoin's FuturePeter Todd's attendance at Bitcoin Histórico underscores a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency. As a "shadowy super coder" turned global advocate, Todd represents the bridge between Bitcoin's mysterious origins and its practical future. El Salvador, under Bukele's leadership, has become a testing ground for Bitcoin's promise, and Todd's endorsement adds credibility to this experiment.In a world where financial systems are increasingly centralized, figures like Todd remind us of Bitcoin's revolutionary potential. His trip to El Salvador wasn't just a conference appearance—it was a vote of confidence in a nation betting big on decentralization. As Bitcoin continues to mature, expect Todd to remain at the forefront, coding, advocating, and challenging the status quo.