UK Judge Rules Craig Wright Not Satoshi Nakamoto

A recent ruling by a UK judge has put an end to the long-standing debate over whether Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist, is the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin known as Satoshi Nakamoto. The judgment, delivered by Judge James Mellor, concluded that Wright is not the author of the Bitcoin white paper, did not operate under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto between 2008 and 2011, did not create the Bitcoin system, and is not the author of the initial versions of the Bitcoin software.

The ruling comes after a six-week trial initiated by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a nonprofit consortium of crypto companies. COPA sought to prevent Wright from further asserting his claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto, arguing that he had fabricated evidence and repeatedly altered his story. COPA’s legal counsel, Jonathan Hough, emphasized the extent of Wright’s alleged forgery and deception throughout the trial.

Wright’s claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto has been a subject of controversy and legal battles for years. In addition to COPA’s lawsuit, Wright has engaged in multiple lawsuits against developers and other parties whom he accused of violating his intellectual property rights based on his claim as the creator of Bitcoin.

The trial featured testimony from key figures in Bitcoin’s creation, including Adam Back and Martti Malmi, who disputed Wright’s claims. COPA presented evidence alleging hundreds of instances of forgery and tampering with documents supporting Wright’s claim. The judge’s ruling rejected Wright’s assertions and upheld COPA’s argument that he had engaged in fraudulent behavior.

The outcome of the trial has significant implications for Wright, who could face legal consequences if found guilty of fraud. COPA has called for the matter of forgery to be referred to the UK criminal courts, potentially resulting in fines, imprisonment, or both for Wright.

Stakeholders will await the formal judgment detailing the specific findings and relief measures imposed on Wright. The trial’s conclusion marks a turning point in the ongoing saga surrounding Bitcoin’s origins and underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.