Craig Wright, Self-Proclaimed Bitcoin Creator, Referred to UK Prosecutors for Perjury

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London High Court judge finds Australian computer scientist Craig Wright lied “extensively and repeatedly” to support his false claim of being Bitcoin’s inventor Satoshi Nakamoto, referring the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

In a significant development in the ongoing saga of Bitcoin‘s mysterious origins, Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist who has long claimed to be the cryptocurrency’s inventor, has been referred to British prosecutors for alleged perjury. The decision, made by Judge James Mellor of London’s High Court on Tuesday, comes after Wright was found to have lied “extensively and repeatedly” to support his false claim of being Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous author of Bitcoin’s 2008 white paper.

The case stems from a trial brought by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), which sought to prevent Wright from suing Bitcoin developers. In March, Judge Mellor ruled that the evidence against Wright’s claim was “overwhelming,” effectively debunking his assertion of being Bitcoin’s creator.

The judge’s written ruling on Tuesday was unequivocal in its condemnation of Wright’s conduct. Mellor stated that if Wright’s actions did not warrant a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), “it is difficult to envisage a case which would.” He expressed no doubt about the necessity of referring the relevant papers to the CPS for consideration of potential prosecution against Wright for “wholescale perjury and forgery of documents.”

The severity of the judge’s stance is underscored by his suggestion that the CPS should consider whether a warrant for Wright’s arrest should be issued and whether his extradition should be sought from his current location.

This development marks a significant blow to Wright’s long-standing claim of being Satoshi Nakamoto, a claim that has been met with widespread skepticism in the cryptocurrency community. The identity of Bitcoin’s true creator remains one of the most enduring mysteries in the tech world, with the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto continuing to captivate the imagination of crypto enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

The referral to prosecutors not only casts a shadow over Wright’s credibility but also serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of making false claims under oath. It highlights the intersection of technology, identity, and the law in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies.

As the case progresses, it will likely draw continued attention from both the tech and legal communities, potentially setting precedents for how similar cases involving digital identities and technological innovations are handled in the future.