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Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has renewed speculation about the origins of Bitcoin, claiming it may have been created by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Indiana University on Tuesday, Carlson said the lack of clarity surrounding Bitcoin’s mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, prevents him from investing in it.
Carlson’s Doubts About Bitcoin Creator
Carlson told the audience he finds it troubling that no one can explain who Nakamoto was or why he vanished. Drawing on his upbringing in a government-connected family in Washington, D.C., he said:
“Would you invest in something when the founder is unknown and controls billions in dormant coins?” he asked, calling it a matter of trust and transparency.
Echoes of Previous Remarks
Interestingly, Carlson made similar remarks last year at a private Bitcoin 2024 event, where he laughed and said, “Obviously, it was the CIA, we all know that. It’s like Signal—they got there first. It’s a honeytrap!”
Although the comment was partly in jest, it reflected his ongoing suspicion that U.S. intelligence agencies might have played a role in Bitcoin’s creation.
At the same event, he also described cryptocurrencies as a tool for financial independence, even if they originated within government agencies.
Conspiracy Theory vs. Confirmed Facts
Claims linking Bitcoin to the CIA have circulated for over a decade, particularly on online forums such as Reddit. However, no credible evidence supports these theories.
Indeed, the CIA has acknowledged running programs related to cryptocurrency tracking to counter ransomware and illicit financial activity.
Former CIA Director Michael Morell has described blockchain as a “boon for surveillance” and an effective tool for law enforcement.
Beyond that, there is no public proof suggesting the agency invented Bitcoin. Most experts dismiss the idea as speculative.
Carlson’s Mixed View on Bitcoin
Despite these doubts, Carlson said he still sees Bitcoin as a powerful force for personal freedom. He described it as a tool that allows ordinary people to operate outside centralized control.
“Crypto gives people the ability to manage their own affairs without oversight,” he said.
Nevertheless, he believes Bitcoin must evolve beyond being a store of value to become a mainstream medium of exchange. For that to happen, he said, the network must offer greater privacy and be more widely accepted for everyday transactions.
Future Outlook
In conclusion, Carlson stated that if Bitcoin solved its privacy and adoption challenges, he would reconsider his position.
“If those issues were fixed,” he said, “I’d sell everything and put it all into Bitcoin.”
While Carlson’s theory remains unproven, his remarks highlight a lingering fascination and suspicion about the true origins of the world’s first decentralized currency.
