Strong parallels here to the case of equity in a new business. It wasn't worth $1B when they did the work, and the likelihood that it would ever be worth a sign

Strong parallels here to the case of equity in a new business. It wasn't worth $1B when they did the work, and the likelihood that it would ever be worth a significant amount was low enough that the reward would have to be high to be a useful incentive. In addition, everyone who bought in over the years implicitly accepted this deal. I'm sure if the inventor had claimed 50% of the total currency pool, there would have been less interest.