【Kurt Meinicke】

A copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper,Kurt Meinicke a seminal document authored by pseudonymous author Satoshi Nakamoto, can be found in every copy of Apple's macOS since Mojave.

The file, unearthed by Waxy, isn't exactly hidden, though it's not very easy to be found unless you know exactly where to look for. To see it, open the Terminal app and paste the following string into it: "open /System/Library/Image\ Capture/Devices/VirtualScanner.app/Contents/Resources/simpledoc.pdf"

Another way to see it is to open Finder, click on Macintosh HD at the bottom of the window, then System - Library - Image Capture - Devices. There, right click on VirtualScanner.app and choose "Show Package Contents." Open Resources, and click on "simpledoc.pdf."

It's there all right. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable/Apple/Satoshi Nakamoto

The "simpledoc.pdf" is a PDF document containing the nine-page Bitcoin whitepaper in its entirety. It appears to have been put there as one of several sample documents, including another PDF called "numbers.pdf," containing only four numbers in very large typeface, as well as a mysterious image called "cover.jpg," which is a photo that appears to have been taken on Treasure Island in San Francisco.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

This image can be found in the same folder as Satoshi's Bitcoin whitepaper. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable/Apple

The discovery of the image and the Bitcoin whitepaper isn't entirely new; designer Joshua Dickens found them in 2020, though it didn't gain much traction online at the time.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

I found the files on my Mac which runs the latest version of macOS Ventura, 13.2.1, and one of my colleagues at Mashable found it on their Mac, running Big Sur 11.7, as well. The files appear to be there in every copy of macOS since Mojave (10.14.0), which was launched in 2018.

---

Related Stories

---

• Chinese spies charged in Huawei obstruction case after sending Bitcoin bribes
• Tesla sold most of its Bitcoin, but none of its Dogecoin
• Apple iPhones running old software will lose access to App Store, but it’s not as bad as it sounds
• Apple's AirPods case might one day get a touch display
• Apple confirms dates for WWDC 2023

It's unclear why Apple would deliberately choose to include the Bitcoin whitepaper in macOS. The document, titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System," was originally published by Nakamoto in 2008 and contains a technical overview of the Bitcoin protocol. Apple has never, to my knowledge, publicly endorsed Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency; in fact, the company has been fairly reserved when it comes to crypto (unlike, say, Samsung, which includes a cryptocurrency wallet software on its Galaxy phones). CEO Tim Cook did say in 2021 that crypto is something the company is "looking at," though he did also say Apple had nothing crypto-related to announce at the time.

---

Featured Video For You

---

The solution to bitcoin's massive carbon footprint could be...volcanoes? — Future Blink

---

A likely explanation is that an Apple engineer tasked with coming up with some sample documents chose the Bitcoin whitepaper and the mysterious image just for fun, though we're sure the internet will quickly come up with conspiracy theories of all sorts in a minute.

Topics Apple Bitcoin

• Games
• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Tech
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Science
• Deals

• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for February 11: Tips to solve Connections #141
• Stuck on record warm: Earth has unprecedented 16
• Today's Hurdle hints and answers for June 8, 2025
• Building a Small Form Factor Gaming System with the Silverstone Sugo SG10 and Haswell Hardware
• Lehecka vs. Dimitrov 2025 livestream: Watch Brisbane International for free
• Here are all the rumors why Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split
• 'Hearthstone' guide: Bend nature to your will with the Yogg Token Druid
• New research shows turmeric's potential health benefits
• Canoo reportedly puts staff on 'mandatory unpaid break' for weeks
• 'Destiny: Rise of Iron' is out, read all about it here

• Best soundbar deal: The Philips Soundbar 2.0 is just $91.68 at Amazon
• NYT Strands hints, answers for May 15
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for May 14: Tips to solve Connections #233
• New TikTok feature uses AI to bring static images to life
• Best power station deal: Save $330 on Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 500
• Best smartwatch deal: Get a Google Pixel Watch 3 for $299.99 at Amazon
• Apple Maps now makes it easier to find fancy restaurants
• Apple finally rolls out CarPlay Ultra — with a catch
• Best coffee machine deal: Save $60 on the Nespresso Vertuo Plus
• Best iPad deal: Save $132 on Apple iPad (10th Gen)

• Best iPad deal: Save $70 on 10th Gen Apple iPad
• Building a Small Form Factor Gaming System with the Silverstone Sugo SG10 and Haswell Hardware
• Facebook will livestream a presidential debate for the first time
• Angelina Jolie reportedly files for divorce from Brad Pitt
• Best earbuds deal; Save $50 on the JBL Tune Flex
• Stuck on record warm: Earth has unprecedented 16
• This activist has kept greedy oil companies off Indigenous land for 25 years
• Kevin Hart, a.k.a. Chocolate Droppa, finally drops a track
• How to unblock XVideos for free
• There was literally an earthquake in LA when Brad and Angelina broke up

• Best early Prime Day Roomba deals: Newest Roombas on sale at Amazon
• Kevin Hart, a.k.a. Chocolate Droppa, finally drops a track
• Brangelina isn't alone: 6 more couples who broke up after making movies together
• Sabalenka vs. Gauff 2025 livestream: Watch French Open final for free
• Best TV deal: Save $400 on the LG B4 55
• MakerBot unveils first new 3D printers since 2014
• A candy has officially trumped our Republican candidate
• Love is dead: The internet freaks out after Angie breaks up with Brad
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for December 15: Tips to solve Connections #83
• People are loving Skittles' response to Donald Trump Jr.'s refugee tweet