Computer scientist who falsely claimed to be Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto avoids jail for contempt of court after breaching a High Court order
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A computer scientist who falsely claimed to be Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto has been handed a suspended sentence for contempt of court after breaching a court order. Dr Craig Wright lost a legal battle against Crypto Open Patent Alliance (Copa), a non-profit group including cryptocurrency firms, earlier this year over claims he was the man behind the pseudonym.
![[Following a five-week trial, High Court judge Mr Justice Mellor ruled that there was 'overwhelming' evidence to prove that the Australian was not behind the pseudonym]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/16/85114345-14210815-Following_a_five_week_trial_High_Court_judge_Mr_Justice_Mellor_r-a-21_1734625293142.jpg)
In March, a judge found that he had 'lied extensively' to support the false claim and barred him from launching or threatening further legal action related to Bitcoin through a court order. Lawyers for Copa told a hearing hearing that Dr Wright issued a claim worth more than £900 billion related to Bitcoin in October which constituted contempt of court, and that he should be jailed as a result.
![[No one knows who the true founder of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency is, as Satoshi Nakamoto is a pseudonym (File image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/16/85114347-14210815-No_one_knows_who_the_true_founder_of_the_Bitcoin_cryptocurrency_-a-22_1734625304880.jpg)
Handed him a 12-month jail sentence suspended for a year, Mr Justice Mellor said Dr Wright had committed 'a clear breach of the order' and was therefore in contempt of court 'beyond any reasonable doubt'. He said the breach of the order was 'flagrant' and that Dr Wright 'has expressed no remorse whatsoever'.
Dr Wright attended court today via a video link, having not attended yesterday's hearing. He told the court he was in Asia but refused to specify which country after being asked by the judge. Dr Craig Wright is pictured outside a court in America before a separate hearing.
