Attorney specializing in cryptocurrency, James A. Murphy, who is recognized online as “MetaLawMan,” has initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This lawsuit aims to obtain documents that might reveal the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive creator of Bitcoin (BTC).
Filed in a District Court in Washington, D.C., this lawsuit follows a statement from 2019 by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud, who asserted that the agency had identified and spoken with four individuals connected to Bitcoin at a conference in California.
According to Saoud, DHS agents engaged with this group to gain insights into how and why they developed the cryptocurrency.
Murphy is requesting access to internal records, which may include emails, notes, and other documentation related to the purported meeting. His previous Freedom of Information Act requests have remained unanswered. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Field, who specializes in FOIA litigation, is representing Murphy in this matter.
Who is Satoshi Nakamoto?
The mystery surrounding the identity of Bitcoin’s creator has persisted as one of the most significant unresolved enigmas within the crypto space. Nakamoto, who released the Bitcoin white paper in 2008 and launched the network in 2009, vanished shortly thereafter.
The debates regarding the identity, or identities, behind the moniker have continued for over ten years.
Murphy contends that the matter has gained heightened relevance, particularly in light of the substantial investments in spot Bitcoin ETFs and a recent executive order from Donald Trump that established a strategic Bitcoin reserve utilizing federally forfeited assets. The DHS has not provided any comments in response to inquiries.