Senator Elizabeth Warren's Unlikely Salute to Bitcoin's Satoshi Nakamoto Sparks Controversy

By: Isha Das

Recent rumors suggest that an American flag was flown over the US Capitol in honor of Bitcoin's anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, allegedly under the initiative of Senator Elizabeth Warren. An attached certificate bearing Warren's sign commemorates Nakamoto on Bitcoin's 15th anniversary as the pioneer of the inclusive financial system aiding disenfranchised populations. However, it is important to note that Warren is known for her opposing stance on cryptocurrencies and this gesture doesn't indicate a shift in her policy.

The certificate supposedly originated from the United States Capitol Flag Program, facilitating requests for such commemorative flags from Congress Members and the public through senators and representative offices. The flag and the certificate were first shared by a New York Bitcoin bar, PubKey, later covered in use by Bitcoin Magazine and propagated by Nasdaq’s aggregated news feed.

Despite the widely circulated certificate, it in no way represents the official policy of Senator Warren. Warren has been vocal about her reservations towards cryptocurrencies, advocating against them through anti-crypto legislation such as The Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act. Her concerns extend to crypto's potential role in the drug trade, sanction evasion, terrorism, and senior fraud. Her office is yet to comment on this issue.

With reports suggesting that Warren's office charges $15 to $27 per flag plus an additional $9 to have the flag flown, it is believed that the flag request was likely sponsored by an unidentified individual.