UK Court of Appeal Denies Craig Wright’s Claim to Bitcoin’s Legacy
In a definitive ruling, the UK Court of Appeal has denied Craig Steven Wright’s bid to appeal his claim of being Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin. This decision solidifies the widespread belief that Wright is not the person behind the pseudonym, further dispelling his assertions.
Legal Defeat for Craig Wright: Court Upholds Decision Against Bitcoin Claim
Earlier this year, the UK High Court of Justice ruled against Wright, concluding he was not Satoshi Nakamoto. The case was initiated by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a coalition of companies that accused Wright of fabricating evidence to support his claim of being the creator of Bitcoin.
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Definitive Judgment: Wright’s Identity Claim Rejected
On November 28, 2024, the Court of Appeal delivered a clear verdict: “Dr. Wright […] is not the individual who assumed the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, authored the Bitcoin White Paper, or developed the Bitcoin system.” This conclusion followed an extensive 22-day trial, with the court scrutinizing a vast array of factual and expert testimony.
In-Depth Analysis and Overwhelming Evidence
BitMEX Research disseminated vital extracts from the court’s findings, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the judgment. The ruling, elaborated in 945 paragraphs with an appendage of 799 more, highlighted the “overwhelming” evidence disproving Wright’s claims.
Key elements influencing the court’s decision included Wright’s history of “repeated and extensive” falsehoods and document forgery intended to bolster his assertions. The judge’s detailed examination involved over eight days of cross-examination and 15 witness statements, which collectively debunked Wright’s claims.
Addressing Wright’s Post-Trial Assertions
Wright contested the outcome by alleging that the judge misinterpreted evidence and wrongly attributed documents. However, the court found these accusations unwarranted, stating: “Dr. Wright accuses the judge of bias, but this charge lacks substance. No credible claims of either actual or apparent bias emerge, just disagreements with the judge’s logic. Notably, the judge ensured Dr. Wright received a fair trial.”
The court dismissed Wright’s objections concerning the handling of expert testimony, clarifying that Wright’s experts concurred with COPA’s experts on most matters. This consensus weakened his arguments against their credentials and the legal strategies employed by his team.
Expert Evidence and Document Authenticity
Wright’s complaints regarding the authenticity of documents were also refuted, as the court adheres to the principle that “a document is presumed authentic unless its authenticity is properly contested.”
Considerations for Wright’s Autism Spectrum Disorder
The court found Wright’s grievances about accommodations for his Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be “unfounded,” noting that the agreed-upon measures were successfully implemented and that Wright himself remarked favorably on the process post cross-examination.
The judgment concluded decisively, stating, “The appeals hold no chance of success and no additional reasons justify hearing them,” thus concluding Wright’s legal efforts to affirm his identity as Bitcoin’s pioneer.
As of the latest updates, Bitcoin is trading at a remarkable $97,860.
