Bitcoin pioneer who gave away over US$100mil has no regrets – Tech News

Jeff Garzik started writing software code for Bitcoin after reading a blog post about the digital currency in July 2010. At the time, he was working remotely for open-source powerhouse Red Hat Inc from an RV parked in an empty lot in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He soon became the third-biggest contributor to Bitcoin’s code after the cryptocurrency’s anonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto and developer Gavin Andresen, and remained so through 2014. Looking back 10 years after its creation, Garzik says he is proud, even though Bitcoin is not what he envisioned it would become.

“As a father I enjoy watching my kids grow up, even as they make mistakes or grow in ways that I wouldn’t expect,” said Garzik, who has given away Bitcoin valued at more than US$100mil (RM417.83mil) based on current prices.

During the initial period, Garzik, 44, worked directly with Nakamoto, corresponding via private email and the Bitcointalk forum, until the token’s creator abruptly disappeared in 2011….