Craig Wright, the Australian computer scientist who infamously claims to be the creator of Bitcoin, has narrowly avoided prison after breaching High Court orders in London regarding his ongoing legal battles over the cryptocurrency’s origins.
Justice James Mellor found Wright in contempt of court for violating an earlier ruling barring him from pursuing legal action against Bitcoin developers. Wright had been prohibited from initiating lawsuits claiming intellectual property rights over Bitcoin but allegedly disregarded the order by issuing claims totaling more than $1.8 trillion.
The 54-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison, though the sentence was suspended for two years. In addition, Wright was ordered to pay legal costs amounting to $290,000 within two weeks. Should he continue filing similar lawsuits, he risks imprisonment.
The controversy surrounding Wright stems from his assertion that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. Satoshi introduced the cryptocurrency during the 2008 financial crisis, and wallets linked to the name reportedly contain over one million Bitcoin—worth approximately $150 billion—although these funds remain untouched.
In May of this year, a London court ruled that Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, a decision that cast significant doubt on his longstanding claims. Lawyers representing the Crypto Open Patent Alliance accused Wright of engaging in “a desperate publicity stunt to keep his cultish supporters engaged” following the court’s decision.
Wright’s legal entanglements are far from over. He still has three active lawsuits regarding Bitcoin’s intellectual property, each of which could further jeopardize his freedom if pursued.
The contentious figure, who appeared in court via video link this week, declined to disclose his current location, with court records suggesting he was in either Singapore or Indonesia at the time.
Bitcoin, which has grown to become the world’s most prominent cryptocurrency, continues to captivate the financial world as debates over its origins persist. The mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity remains a source of intrigue, with the untouched Bitcoin wallets serving as a constant reminder of the enigma at the heart of the digital currency revolution.
For Craig Wright, however, the latest legal setback marks another blow in his controversial quest to claim the title of Bitcoin’s creator—one that could soon lead to harsher consequences if he defies court orders again.
