Craig Wright, Self-Proclaimed Bitcoin Founder, Sentenced for Contempt of Court
Computer scientist Dr. Craig Wright, who has persistently but falsely claimed to be the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, has been handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence for contempt of court. This legal repercussion stems from Dr. Wright’s blatant disregard for a High Court order issued earlier this year, which prohibited him from pursuing further legal action related to Bitcoin.
The High Court’s injunction was a consequence of Dr. Wright’s failed legal battle against the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a non-profit organization representing various cryptocurrency firms. COPA had challenged Dr. Wright’s claims of being Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym attributed to the individual or group credited with developing the groundbreaking cryptocurrency. In March, a judge ruled that Dr. Wright had fabricated evidence and “lied extensively” to support his claim, prompting the court to bar him from initiating or threatening any further legal proceedings related to Bitcoin ownership.
Despite the court’s explicit order, Dr. Wright filed a staggering £900 billion claim related to Bitcoin in October, a move deemed a clear act of contempt. Mr. Justice Mellor, presiding over the case, characterized Dr. Wright’s breach as “flagrant” and noted his complete lack of remorse. Dr. Wright, appearing via video link from an undisclosed location in Asia, maintained his stance, disputing the court’s findings and vowing to appeal the contempt ruling. He accused COPA of having a singular purpose of targeting him with lawsuits, a claim the organization vehemently denies.
COPA’s legal representatives argued that Dr. Wright’s actions constituted “multiple, clear breaches” of the court order, causing significant distress and inconvenience to Bitcoin developers who once again faced the threat of legal action and reputational damage. Jonathan Hough KC, representing COPA, labeled Dr. Wright’s latest legal maneuver a "desperate publicity stunt" designed to maintain engagement with his followers. He emphasized the seriousness of the breach and advocated for a two-year prison sentence, the maximum penalty for contempt.
While acknowledging the severity of Dr. Wright’s actions, Mr. Justice Mellor opted for a 12-month suspended sentence, citing Dr. Wright’s absence from the UK and apparent awareness of countries lacking extradition agreements with the UK. He dismissed Dr. Wright’s £900 billion claim as “legal nonsense” and ordered him to pay approximately £145,000 in legal costs to COPA. The judge also indicated that he would provide a more detailed explanation of the sentencing rationale at a later date.
This latest legal setback for Dr. Wright follows a string of controversies surrounding his claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto. In the earlier trial against COPA, which focused on the same claim, the court found "overwhelming" evidence disproving his assertions. The judge even referred relevant documents from the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider potential criminal charges, highlighting the gravity of Dr. Wright’s misleading statements and their impact on the court process. The case has brought significant attention to the ongoing mystery surrounding the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, a crucial figure in the history of cryptocurrency and digital finance.