Craig Wright, who has claimed to be the inventor of Bitcoin, has withdrawn his appeal against Norwegian Bitcoin advocate Hodlonaut, concluding a nearly five-year-long legal dispute. This decision follows closely after a U.K. court decisively found that Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin.
Legal Tug-of-War in Norway
The legal confrontation in Norway centered around Hodlonaut’s social media accusations, labeling Wright a “scammer” and “fraud” for asserting he was Satoshi Nakamoto. In 2022, an Oslo court ruled in favor of Hodlonaut, stating there were “sufficient factual grounds” to support the claims against Wright. The case was initially brought forth by Hodlonaut to counteract Wright’s defamation lawsuit in the U.K., where plaintiff-friendly laws could have led to significant damages.
Wright’s Appeal Withdrawn
Despite initially appealing the Norwegian court’s decision, Wright has now abandoned his pursuit. Hodlonaut shared the news, expressing relief and happiness over the resolution. This turn of events marks a significant setback in Wright’s efforts to establish himself as the creator of Bitcoin.
U.K. Court’s Conclusive Ruling
Wright’s credibility suffered a major blow when a U.K. judge ruled in favor of the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) in March, stating unequivocally that Wright was not the author of the Bitcoin white paper, nor did he create Bitcoin. This case was initiated by COPA to prevent Wright from claiming copyright over the Bitcoin whitepaper and to halt any legal actions against Bitcoin developers or other parties under the guise of being Satoshi Nakamoto.
Wright and Ayre’s Silence
Following the judgment, Wright and his supporter, billionaire Calvin Ayre, have maintained a low profile. Ayre hinted at stepping away from public discourse, mentioning a planned “adventure” in a farewell message on social media.
Ongoing Legal Matters
Although the appeal in Norway is resolved, Wright is still entangled in other legal proceedings, including another defamation lawsuit against Hodlonaut in the U.K. These cases continue to stir debate within the cryptocurrency community regarding Wright’s claims and the broader implications for the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto.
