Crypto Lawyer Claims US Government is Aware of Bitcoin Creator’s Identity

A legal expert in cryptocurrency suggests that the U.S. government holds the key to uncovering the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin.

James Murphy initiated a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday, claiming the agency has information about Nakamoto’s identity.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Murphy, who refers to himself as the “MetaLawMan,” shared his reasons for pursuing the lawsuit.

“My FOIA lawsuit aims to obtain documents related to claims made by a senior DHS Special Agent indicating that DHS had located and interviewed Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto,” wrote Murphy.

Established in July 1966, the Freedom of Information Act enables public access to records held by federal government agencies, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability.

Throughout the years, several individuals have been speculated to be candidates for Nakamoto’s identity, including Hal Finney, Gavin Andresen, Nick Szabo, Adam Back, Len Sassaman, Craig Wright, Dorian Nakamoto, Elon Musk, and, more recently, Peter Todd, all of whom have either denied being Nakamoto or faced disputed claims.

The lawsuit claims that a federal agent, identified in the filing as Special Agent Rana Saoud, stated during the 2019 Offshore Alert Conference on Financial Intelligence and Investigations that DHS had interviewed Nakamoto in California.

“We received some pushback from headquarters, but we thought: ‘If the agent wants to meet him and we have the resources, why not send him? Let’s see how it goes,’” Saoud allegedly remarked. “The agents traveled to California and found that he wasn’t alone—there were three other people. They engaged in a discussion and learned about how it all functions and the rationale behind its creation.”

“If the interview actually took place as claimed by the DHS Agent, there ought to be records documenting the details of that meeting,” Murphy asserted.

Murphy’s lawsuit emphasizes the importance of these meeting records, particularly as policymakers consider investing in Bitcoin.

In his FOIA request, Murphy urged DHS to disclose records, including a transcript of Saoud’s remarks from the 2019 conference, as well as any existing documentation—including transcripts, recordings, notes, or correspondences—related to interviews with persons believed to be, or claiming to be, Satoshi Nakamoto.

This FOIA lawsuit adds a new dimension to the enduring enigma surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity, which has sparked speculation and litigation for numerous years.

In 2024, a U.K. court ruled that Craig Wright is not Nakamoto after a protracted legal dispute with the Crypto Open Patent Alliance. Wright originally claimed to be Nakamoto in December 2015.

Murphy remains open to all possibilities and is resolute in his quest for answers.

“It’s entirely possible that the DHS Agent was incorrect and that DHS did not interview the actual Satoshi,” Murphy stated. “Should DHS resist disclosure, I am committed to pursuing this case to its conclusion in order to resolve this mystery.”

Edited by James Rubin