Bitcoin whitepaper is gone from Apple's latest macOS beta

Sorry, Satoshi.
By Stan Schroeder  on 
Apple Bitcoin
It was not meant to be. Credit: Bloomberg / Getty Images

Apple may have fallen out of love with Bitcoin.

In April, an unusual bit of news made the rounds: Someone had hidden a copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper in Apple's macOS, and it remained there for years and through multiple major versions of the OS.

It probably ends now, however. According to 9to5Mac, the latest beta version of macOS Ventura doesn't contain the file anymore.

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

The file, which was hidden inside a tool called "VirtualScanner.app" is nowhere to be found, and the entire VirtualScanner.app itself was removed, too. Besides the copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper, the file also contained a mysterious image, likely taken on Treasure Island in San Francisco, along with a few other files.

Bitcoin whitepaper
Sorry, you'll have to procure your copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper elsewhere. Credit: Satoshi Nakamoto/Apple

The Bitcoin whitepaper was originally published by Bitcoin's mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, in 2008. It contains a technical overview of the Bitcoin protocol.

We may never find out why the Bitcoin whitepaper was hidden inside macOS in the first place. Given that it was fairly quickly expunged from the OS, it's likely that an Apple engineer thought it would be a cool idea, but Apple decided they don't want to be associated with Bitcoin in this way.

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.


Recommended For You
Apple Intelligence only supports these devices: Is yours on the list?
Craig Federighi standing in front of screen displaying Apple Intelligence features

Apple reportedly gives up on Vision Pro 2, focusing on cheaper model instead
Apple VIsion Pro


NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 4
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

'Jackpot!' trailer sees all of L.A. out to kill Awkwafina in action comedy
Awkwafina and John Cena in "Jackpot"

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 11
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 11
a phone displaying Wordle


Webb telescope may have just revealed an alien world with air
A super-Earth orbiting a red dwarf star

'The Acolyte' keeps referencing 'The Last Jedi' — here's why
The Stranger on the unknown planet.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!