Craig Steven Wright: The Australian computer scientist who claimed to invent Bitcoin was referred to British prosecutors for alleged perjury by a judge at London’s High Court. The judge found that Wright lied “extensively and repeatedly” to support his false claim that he was Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin.
Background: Wright had long claimed to be the inventor of Bitcoin, but a civil trial in March found that he was not the man behind the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The judge, James Mellor, ruled that Wright’s claims were false and that he had committed “wholescale perjury and forgery of documents” to support his fraudulent claim.
Consequences: The judge referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider whether to bring charges against Wright for perjury and forgery. Perjury carries a potential maximum sentence of seven years and a possible fine.
Key points:
Craig Steven Wright, an Australian computer scientist, claimed to invent Bitcoin.
A civil trial in March found that Wright’s claims were false.
The judge referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges for perjury and forgery.
Perjury carries a potential maximum sentence of seven years and a possible fine.
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