Craig Wright says he can’t access Satoshi Nakamoto’s $10 billion Bitcoin fortune 🚨 This article is 5 years old...
Craig Wright says he can’t access Satoshi Nakamoto’s $10 billion Bitcoin fortune
2 min read
Updated: Nov. 7, 2019 at 2:52 am UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
During his June 28 contempt hearing, Craig Wright told a federal court in Florida that he was unable to access his $10 billion Bitcoin fortune. Sources present during the deposition revealed that he also cried during cross-examination when explaining why he parted ways with Bitcoin back in 2010.
Emotions run high in Wright’s contempt hearing
Craig Wright’s bitter court battle with the estate of his former partner Dave Kleiman has been going on for more than a year. The case just recently started to show significant movement. After Wright failed to disclose his Bitcoin holdings on several occasions, a federal court in Florida ordered a hearing on June 28 as to whether he should be held in contempt of court.
The hearing, held on Friday, was to determine the level of sanction Wright should face for his violation of court orders. However, it was a hot topic in the crypto community, with many discussing the hearing’s implications on the Wright vs Kleiman case.
Inside sources revealed that a heated discussion didn’t only happen on Twitter—emotions ran high during the hearing, too. According to Bloomberg. At one point Wright forcefully threw a document provided by Kleiman’s lawyers and was rebuked by the judge, who said he would be “in handcuffs” if he did that again.
Long speeches leave many questions unanswered
Shortly after being reprimanded for unruly behavior, Wright continued to avoid giving direct answers to questions. Seemingly fed up with his long and disconnected speeches, the judge called a recess and urged Wright’s lawyers to have a talk with their client “about answering questions directly and not giving speeches.”
Quick update. Open session, now, Craig is on the stand talking about silk road and Hydra, and CRYING, yes he is CRYING
— 22nd Century Crypto (@thatcryptoguyyy) June 28, 2019
The whirlwind of emotions during the cross-examination was too much even for the court reporter, who Bloomberg says asked the parties to slow down.
But, the heated argument failed to answer any of the important questions asked by the Kleiman party. Wright reportedly cried during the deposition when he was asked why he left Bitcoin and disassociated from his Satoshi Nakamoto alias, as he claimed the “bad things” the cryptocurrency was used for was “too much” for him to handle.
Some highlights:
Are you satoshi? – yes
Do you recognize this White Paper? – I wrote it
Why did you leave BTC and disassociated with Satoshi? – My invention was used for bad things *crying*. They created #silkroad and #hydra. It was used to fund child pornography— Katie Ananina (@KatieAnanina) June 28, 2019
The continued hearing, which is scheduled for August, will reveal the extent of the punishment Wright will endure for his contempt of court. Attorney Stephen Phalley believes that things are going Kleiman’s way and that the judge will take time before deciding to hold someone in contempt of court.
Things are going Kleiman's way. Now, we may not know what the Court thinks until after the continued hearing which I believe will be in August. And it could change. Either way, this appears to be a smart judge, and one who will reach the right conclusion.
— Palley (@stephendpalley) June 29, 2019
On the other hand, Calvin Ayre, the founder of CoinGeek, believes that either outcome of the hearing will prove that Wright is, in fact, Satoshi Nakamoto. In a June 29 tweet, Ayre said that those cheering for Wright to lose the case don’t realize that in order to lose the case, he “must” be Satoshi Nakamoto.
In order for Craig to "lose" the Kleinman case he must be Satoshi Nakamoto and have written the white paper and invented #Bitcoin. This fact seems to not be understood by Craig deniers who are also cheering for him to lose this case. Does this make them stupid?
— Calvin Ayre (@CalvinAyre) June 30, 2019
The crypto community was quick to respond to Ayre’s unfounded statement, with most saying his claims made absolutely no sense. Even Peter McCormack, the host of the “What Bitcoin Did” podcast and one of many recipients of Wright’s libel claims, chimed in.
McCormack said that he hoped Wright lost the Kleiman case, as it would mean he would have to pay out the $5 billion in Bitcoin that he surely doesn’t have.
Actually I want him to lose the case and they think he is Satoshi. Then he has a $5 billion bill that neither of you morons can pay.
— Peter McCormack (@PeterMcCormack) June 30, 2019
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Bitcoin, a decentralized currency that defies the sway of central banks or administrators, transacts electronically, circumventing intermediaries via a peer-to-peer network.
Craig Steven Wright, commonly referred to as CSW, is an Australian computer scientist and business professional who has been at the center of controversy within the cryptocurrency community.
Dave Kleiman (1967 – April 26, 2013) was a computer forensics expert, an author or co-author of multiple books and a frequent speaker at security-related events.
Calvin Ayre was born on May 25, 1961, and raised on a pig farm in Canada.
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Peter McCormack stands out as a preeminent figure in the cryptocurrency podcasting realm.