Across Crypto Twitter on Thursday, there was a strong rumor that Senator Elizabeth Warren, a well-known critic of crypto, allegedly flew a flag above the U.S. Capitol to honor Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto on the token’s 15th birthday, despite her recent criticism of Bitcoin ETFs.
Crypto enthusiasts speculated about Warren’s supposed change of heart, with some seeing it as a sign of a shift in the U.S. government’s approach to cryptocurrencies. However, others expressed skepticism and questioned the authenticity of the news.
The rumor originated from a story in Bitcoin Magazine, which claimed to have seen certificates commemorating the flag raising in Satoshi’s honor, signed by Warren and the Architect of the Capitol. These certificates were brought to the attention of Bitcoin-themed bar PubKey in Manhattan by an anonymous individual who claimed they were historic artifacts related to Bitcoin’s history.
Despite not being able to directly confirm the authenticity of the certificates with government entities, PubKey decided to publicly display the flag and documents. However, the Architect of the Capitol has no records of Warren’s office submitting a request for the flag ceremony, leaving the authenticity of the event in question.
If the anonymous individual’s story is true, it may indicate that Warren’s office overlooked the request among the hundreds they receive annually, rather than a genuine change of heart regarding Bitcoin. Alternatively, it could imply a mole within her office. Decrypt reached out to Warren’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
This incident highlights the complex relationship between government officials and cryptocurrencies, as well as the challenges in confirming the authenticity of crypto-related news and events.
