- Craig Wright’s battle over Bitcoin authorship deepens as a UK judge refers his case to British prosecutors for alleged perjury.
- This latest development pertains to Wright’s ongoing dispute with the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) over his claim of being Bitcoin’s creator.
- Judge James Mellor provided a scathing ruling, stating Wright has “extensively and repeatedly” lied and forged documents to support his claims.
Bitcoin authorship dispute sees a significant turn as UK judge directs Craig Wright’s case to prosecutors, citing perjury and document forgery.
UK Judge Questions Craig Wright’s Bitcoin Authorship Claims
The contentious debate over Craig Wright’s claim to be Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, took a dramatic turn this week. Over many years, Wright, an Australian computer scientist, has attempted to secure copyright claims over Bitcoin’s whitepaper and assert his authorship of the pioneering cryptocurrency. These actions have consistently been met with opposition from the broader crypto community. In the latest chapter, the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) took Wright to court in the UK, where Judge James Mellor found substantial evidence against Wright’s claims.
Substantial Evidence and Worldwide Freezing Order
Judge Mellor’s decision was heavily influenced by the overwhelming evidence presented by COPA, discrediting Wright’s assertions. COPA’s evidence led to the ruling that Wright is not Bitcoin’s creator. Judge Mellor also issued a Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO) on $7.6 million of Wright’s assets due to concerns that Wright might evade the financial consequences of the trial. This precautionary measure underscores the severity of the case and Wright’s history of non-compliance in financial matters.
Forgery Allegations and Referral to Crown Prosecution Service
The written judgment released by Judge Mellor in May highlighted the extent of Wright’s alleged fabrications. It detailed how Wright had “extensively and repeatedly” falsified both written and oral evidence. Accusations of grand-scale document forgery were central to this judgment. As a result, on Tuesday, Judge Mellor granted COPA’s request to refer the findings to Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). According to the judge, the severity of the fraud warranted an exceptional response, making a strong case for CPS to consider prosecution for perjury and document forgery.
Potential Legal Aftermath and Wright’s Whereabouts
The document further revealed that Wright’s current whereabouts are unknown, heightening concerns about his accessibility to UK legal proceedings. He was last known to reside in Wimbledon but appears to have moved to regions within the UTC +7 time zone, potentially including parts of Russia and Southeast Asia. This movement adds another layer of complexity to the case, as legal authorities may seek his extradition to face charges. The court emphasized that Wright had committed a “most serious abuse” of the judicial processes in the UK, Norway, and the USA to perpetuate his claim of being Bitcoin’s inventor.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal disputes surrounding Craig Wright and his claim to be Bitcoin’s creator continue to evolve, and this latest ruling represents a significant blow to his assertion. The UK court’s decision to refer Wright’s case for possible criminal prosecution underscores the seriousness of the allegations against him. With substantial evidence of wrongdoing and uncertainties about his whereabouts, the future of Wright’s claims appears increasingly precarious. This case not only highlights the legal intricacies surrounding cryptocurrency but also reinforces the necessity for transparency and honesty in the rapidly growing digital financial sector.
