Australian computer scientist Craig Wright has been claiming to be the creator of Bit, Satoshi Nakamoto, since 2016, but due to the lack of substantial evidence, he has frequently suffered legal defeats and has been mockingly called "Australian Nakamoto". The latest UK High Court decision prevents him from filing any Bit-related lawsuits, effectively drawing a conclusion to the long-drawn-out Bit founder case.
Court's Strong Punch: Prohibiting Frivolous Lawsuits for Three Years
A key turning point occurred on May 12, 2025, when the UK High Court issued a three-year civil restraining order against Wright, strictly prohibiting him from initiating new lawsuits without permission. This was in response to a lawsuit by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), which accused Wright of legally threatening its members. Judge Love J stated in the ruling that Wright had "weaponized" the law, creating legal "hell" for critics through forged evidence and unequal litigation to support his false Satoshi Nakamoto identity claim. The judge wrote:
"Evidently, Dr. Wright had substantial financial backing from the beginning, and his defamation lawsuits were deliberate unequal battles."
And added that his strategy was
"Part of a deliberately strategy by Dr. Wright and his supporters to establish [Dr. Wright's Satoshi claim] through unequal contests."
Impact on Industry Innovation and Community Counteraction
Wright's legal actions caused a "chilling effect" on crypto innovation. Judge Mellor previously noted that his actions
"Not only affected the individuals he sued, but also caused significant disruption to an important technological industry."
COPA's counteraction aimed to protect the open-source community from harassment, highlighting the importance of collaborative spirit. Wright's credibility was further undermined by allegations of forging and tampering with documents in the lawsuit. This saga surrounding the "Satoshi" identity has brought negative impacts to Bit-related projects and the overall crypto market.
Past Court Defeats
Craig Wright's claim of being the Bit creator has long sparked controversy in the crypto and legal worlds. Before the latest ruling, Wright had repeatedly faced setbacks in UK courts: In March 2024, the court ruled he was not the Bit white paper author or Bit creator; in July of the same year, he was forced to issue a disclaimer on his website denying being Satoshi; in December, he was given a suspended sentence for contempt of court. Despite this, Wright continued to sue many prominent crypto figures, extending his legal battles to the US and obtaining some favorable judgments.
Future Prospects Under the Restraining Order
This restraining order is a significant defeat for Wright and brings relief to those affected by his lawsuits. Although the court previously ordered Wright to publish a notice acknowledging extensive lying (which expired in January 2025), reports suggest the notice still appears on his website. Wright is reportedly now focusing on agricultural development. This ruling provides a reference for legal responses to similar identity disputes, and the crypto community's skepticism of his claims has never ceased.
The UK court's ruling draws an important line in the legal battle over the "Satoshi" identity. It serves as a warning against judicial resource abuse and reminds us of the balance between individual claims and legal responsibilities in technological innovation. The subsequent impact of this case and how the crypto industry will address future legal challenges remain a focus of ongoing attention.
