Craig Wright, the Australian computer scientist who has famously asserted himself as the elusive creator of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto, has opted to forego his appeal in a high-profile defamation case in Norway. This legal dispute involves Hodlonaut, also recognized as Marcus Granath within the Bitcoin community, a prominent figure known for his contributions and advocacy within the digital currency sphere.
In a statement released on Thursday through X, Wright’s decision to withdraw his appeal was made apparent. This development marks a significant turn in a legal saga that has captured the attention of the cryptocurrency community and beyond.
The case originated from Wright’s ongoing efforts to substantiate his claim of being Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. Hodlonaut, among others in the Bitcoin community, publicly challenged Wright’s assertions, leading to a contentious exchange that ultimately culminated in legal action.
Wright’s decision to drop the appeal suggests a shift in strategy or a recognition of the complexities and challenges associated with the legal proceedings. This move may have implications not only for the outcome of the specific case but also for the broader discourse surrounding Wright’s claims and the question of Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity.
The withdrawal of the appeal underscores the intricacies and nuances involved in navigating legal battles within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, where questions of identity, reputation, and intellectual property rights intersect. As stakeholders continue to grapple with these complex issues, the resolution of this particular case will likely be closely monitored for its potential impact on the ongoing narrative surrounding Bitcoin’s origins and the legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto.
Marcus Granath expresses jubilation as the appeal in Norway is dropped.
Granath initially encountered legal challenges from Wright when he objected to a series of X posts from March 2019, which have since been removed, labeling the purported Bitcoin creator as a “fraud,” “mentally ill,” and a “pathetic scammer.”
During the following summer, Wright, based in London, initiated a defamation lawsuit against Granath in the U.K. Concurrently, Granath filed a lawsuit in Norway, his home country, asserting that his criticisms of Wright were lawful under Norwegian jurisdiction.
Just got off the phone with my Norwegian lawyer.
CRAIG WRIGHT DROPPED THE APPEAL IN NORWAY!
My win from 2022 is now final and enforceable.
This case started May 19th, 2019 and lasted until today.
I’m very happy!
Now I just need to get the UK case dismissed/won and I can…
— hodlonaut 80 IQ 10%er 🌮⚡🔑 🐝 (@hodlonaut) April 11, 2024
Granath initially encountered legal challenges from Wright when he objected to a series of X posts from March 2019, which have since been removed, labeling the purported Bitcoin creator as a “fraud,” “mentally ill,” and a “pathetic scammer.”
During the following summer, Wright, based in London, initiated a defamation lawsuit against Granath in the U.K. Concurrently, Granath filed a lawsuit in Norway, his home country, asserting that his criticisms of Wright were lawful under Norwegian jurisdiction.
The London High Court rules that Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto.
Wright’s unsuccessful appeal in Norway follows closely on the heels of a significant ruling from London’s High Court. Just two months prior, the court determined that the Australian individual, accused of fraud, had fabricated his claims of being the mastermind behind Bitcoin. This decision came as part of a case brought forth by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), which sought to challenge Wright’s assertions.
Justice Mellor found that:
1) Dr Wright is not the author of the Bitcoin White Paper.
2) Dr Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto.
3) Dr Wright is not the person who created the Bitcoin System.
4) Dr Wright is not the author of the initial versions of the Bitcoin software.
1/4— COPA (@opencryptoorg) March 14, 2024
Following the ruling, the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) took to their X account to express their sentiments on the matter. In a statement, they highlighted the extensive duration during which Dr. Wright and his supporters purported his identity as Satoshi Nakamoto, using this falsehood as leverage to exert influence and instill fear within the Bitcoin community. COPA emphasized the significance of the court’s decision, declaring an end to Wright’s deceptive narrative by affirming that Craig Wright is not, in fact, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The assertion that Satoshi Nakamoto may not be a singular individual but rather a collective group has gained traction, fueled by recent linguistic analyses of Nakamoto’s writings. This revelation challenges the conventional understanding of Bitcoin’s founding father and adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing quest to uncover Nakamoto’s true identity.
In response to the ruling, UK Judge James Mellor took decisive action by freezing all of Wright’s assets. This action came in the wake of Wright’s attempt to transfer shares of his London-based firm to an entity based in Singapore, a move that raised suspicions of potential efforts to evade financial penalties stemming from the case. The freezing of assets underscores the seriousness of the situation and serves as a precautionary measure to preserve assets pending further legal proceedings.
Despite Granath’s recent legal victory, Wright’s original libel lawsuit against him remains unresolved in the UK. The timeline for any future proceedings in this case remains uncertain, leaving lingering questions about the potential for further legal battles between the two parties.
READ MORE ABOUT: Newsflash: Court Ruling Discredits Craig Wright’s Assertions – Denies Him as Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s Creator
