A lawyer specializing in cryptocurrency has initiated legal action against the US Department of Homeland Security, asserting that the agency might possess knowledge regarding the identity of Bitcoin’s creator. This lawsuit aims to compel the department to disclose any relevant information it may have.
The lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information Act stems from remarks made by a DHS Special Agent at a conference in April 2019. The agent mentioned that several of her colleagues had previously spoken with four individuals believed to be part of Bitcoin’s inception.
In a post on X, the lawyer expressed, “My FOIA lawsuit is merely requesting the notes, emails, and any documents related to that supposed interview.” He further noted, “If the meeting actually took place as the DHS Agent stated, there should be records detailing what was discussed.”
During her presentation at the OffshoreAlert Conference in Miami, the agent revealed that DHS personnel had met with those they suspected were involved in creating Bitcoin, exploring their intentions and what the “end game” might be for the cryptocurrency.
She explained that the agents traveled to California and discovered that the creator was not acting alone; they engaged in discussions with three others to understand the mechanics and rationale behind the cryptocurrency.
If the DHS chooses to withhold information, the lawyer declared he would “pursue the case to the end” to uncover the truth.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the possibility that the agents may have incorrectly identified the individuals as the true Satoshi Nakamoto.
The case emerges amid increasing attempts to determine Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity.
In a recent HBO documentary, claims surfaced regarding Peter Todd, a Bitcoin cypherpunk, as Bitcoin’s creator. Todd rejected the allegations, and many industry experts criticized the evidence presented as lacking substance.
Additionally, names like Nick Szabo, Adam Back, and Hal Finney have been associated with Satoshi. Szabo and Back have consistently denied they are Satoshi, as did Finney before his passing in 2013.
Within the Bitcoin community, opinions remain divided on whether revealing Satoshi’s identity would benefit the cryptocurrency. Some believe it could undermine Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and jeopardize Satoshi’s safety, while others seek reassurance that the creation of Bitcoin didn’t originate from the US government.