Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist who has long claimed to be the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, is now facing serious legal trouble in the United Kingdom.
After the recent Craig Wright trial, court rulings have referred Wright to British prosecutors for potential perjury charges after a judge found that he had “lied extensively” and forged documents to support his claims.
Craig Wright has repeatedly asserted that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous author of the 2008 Bitcoin white paper, which laid the foundation for the creation of Bitcoin, the world’s largest decentralized digital currency by market capitalization.
However, his claims have been widely disputed within the community and have led to numerous legal battles worldwide.
The Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a group that includes prominent members such as Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s payments firm Block, took Wright to court to prevent him from suing Bitcoin developers based on his disputed claim.
During the trial, extensive evidence was presented that showed Wright had lied repeatedly and forged documents to support his assertion of being Satoshi Nakamoto.
In March, British High Court Judge James Mellor ruled that the evidence against Wright’s claim was overwhelming.
In his written judgment in May, Mellor stated that Wright had lied “extensively and repeatedly” and had forged documents “on a grand scale.” Judge Mellor did not mince words, emphasizing the seriousness of Wright’s actions. He added:
“If Wright’s conduct did not warrant a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, it is difficult to envisage a case which would.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now consider whether Wright should be prosecuted for perjury, which involves lying under oath, and forgery of documents.
This could lead to severe legal consequences for Wright, including the possibility of an arrest warrant and extradition, depending on his current location. Judge Mellor mentioned that Wright might be outside the UK, possibly in Southeast Asia or Siberia, as his current whereabouts are unknown.
The judge stated:
“The evidence shows that Dr Wright has left his previous residence in Wimbledon, appears to have left the UK, has been said to be travelling and was last established to be in the time zone of UTC +7.”
This is not the first time Craig Wright has faced legal challenges over his claims. Prior to the recent developments, Wright had been subject to a Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO) issued by the High Court in the UK.
This order, granted to Peter McCormack following a series of legal disputes, prevented Wright from moving assets to avoid paying legal costs.
McCormack, a podcast host and entrepreneur, had been sued by Wright for libel in 2019. The freezing order was intended to help McCormack recoup around £1.5 million ($1.9 million) in legal fees incurred during the libel case.
The trial initiated by COPA was a significant legal battle aimed at dismantling Wright’s claims once and for all.
COPA’s legal team presented a range of evidence and expert testimony that exposed Wright’s fabrications. They demonstrated that Wright had engaged in an elaborate scheme of forgery and deceit to support his false identity as Satoshi Nakamoto.
Judge Mellor’s detailed ruling in May effectively dismantled Wright’s claims, describing his evidence as a mountain of fabricated assertions. The judge’s decision to refer the case to the CPS underscores the gravity of Wright’s actions and the potential criminal implications.
The case has drawn significant attention within the Bitcoin community and beyond.
Wright’s claims have been a source of controversy for years, with many in the community dismissing his assertions as false. The legal proceedings and the judge’s ruling have provided a clear repudiation of Wright’s claims, reinforcing the skepticism that has long surrounded him.
In response to the ruling, Wright has maintained his innocence. He denied forging documents when he gave evidence in February and has indicated his intention to seek permission to appeal the court’s decision.
However, his current location remains a mystery, and his spokesperson has not provided immediate comments on the recent developments.
Wright’s official website, which was wiped of content shortly after Judge Mellor’s ruling, now displays a legal notice that reads: “DR CRAIG STEVEN WRIGHT IS NOT SATOSHI NAKAMOTO.”
This notice reiterates the court’s decision and indicates that Wright has been ordered not to commence any legal proceedings based on his false claims.
His billionaire supporter, Calvin Ayre, announced on X that he would be departing to “take off on an adventure” that, in his own words, he had been “planning for the last year.”
As the CPS reviews the case, the future remains uncertain for Craig Wright. If prosecuted and found guilty of perjury, Wright could face severe legal penalties.
The controversy surrounding Wright’s claims has overshadowed much of his career, and the recent legal proceedings have only intensified the scrutiny on his actions.
The legal battles and the judge’s scathing remarks have significantly damaged his reputation, casting a long shadow over his legacy.
