Actually in the very first days of bitcoin there weren't any strict AML/KYC laws applicable to the bitcoin exchanges, most of the exchanges used to happen by p2p method, so only a few people would have known about his identity. And he never sold much of his coins, most of the coins from the starting days of bitcoin blockchain remain dormant to this date as well.
 Also as @Ranochigo said use of Tor and proxy servers would have made Satoshi untraceable as he would definitely be using them surely because he was paranoid for privacy.

Shortage of VPN, Consists of:
- Internet connection (public network) that we cannot predict. This can be tolerated because basically we only "stick" connections to other parties' networks so that we automatically do not have control over the network.
- More attention to security. Again, because of the use of public networks, we need to pay more attention to prevent the occurrence of unwanted things such as wiretapping, hacking, and actions of cybercrime on VPN networks.
- Tapping-prone
- There is no User Main Control
- Device Mismatch
- There Are No Standards That Meet

Tor is not intended to fully resolve the anonymity problem on the web. Tor is not designed to completely delete tracks but rather to reduce the possibility of sites tracking actions and data back to users.

When used incorrectly, Tor is not safe. For example, Tor warns its users that not all traffic is protected; only traffic directed through the protected Tor browser. Users are also warned to use the https website version, not to torrent with Tor, not to activate the browser plugin, not to open documents downloaded through Tor while online, and to use a secure bridge. Users are also warned that they cannot provide names or other disclosure information on the web forum above Tor and remain anonymous at the same time.