Self-Proclaimed Bitcoin Founder Craig Wright Gets One Year Suspended Sentence
Craig Wright, the Australian national who has long and controversially claimed to be Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has received a one-year suspended sentence in the United Kingdom for contempt of court.
The sentence stems from Wright's repeated lawsuits against Bitcoin developers in defiance of a prior court order.
Judge James Mellor delivered the ruling on 19 December, citing five counts of contempt and imposing a £145,000 fine (approximately $180,000).
Today, Judge Mellor sentenced Craig Wright to prision for 1 year, 2 year suspended for contempt of court, a major step in exposing the lies he, nChain’s leadership, and their financial backer Calvin Ayre have pushed for years.
As the former CEO of nChain, I disclosed the fraud… pic.twitter.com/vzjD4x6QAC
— Christen Ager-Hanssen (@agerhanssen) December 19, 2024
The case was brought by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a nonprofit representing crypto firms, after Wright violated a July court order barring him from filing lawsuits based on his Satoshi claims.
In March, a UK court ruled that Wright is not the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin—a conclusion Wright effectively conceded in a July statement on his website.
Attending the hearing remotely, Wright claimed to be in Asia, with reports suggesting he may be in Singapore or Indonesia.
This geographic distance could pose challenges for enforcing his sentence if he re-offends.
Despite the court's findings, Wright has declared his intent to appeal the rulings, continuing his contentious battle over his Satoshi assertions.
COPA Takes the Stand
COPA launched contempt proceedings against Wright following a March High Court ruling that dismissed his claim of being Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and prohibited him from asserting the title.
Despite the ruling, Wright persisted, filing lawsuits that included a staggering £911 billion claim against Bitcoin Core and Square.
He alleged these entities misrepresented Bitcoin as the true version envisioned by Satoshi Nakamoto.
COPA identified five instances of contempt, arguing that Wright's litigation was built on false assertions of intellectual property rights as Bitcoin's creator.
Jonathan Hough, COPA's legal counsel, highlighted Wright's extensive history of contempt across three continents, accusing him of filing lawsuits against over 100 entities, demanding nearly £900 billion in damages.
Hough labelled Wright's actions as "desperate publicity stunts" aimed at maintaining support among his followers.
He further criticised Wright for targeting developers and bloggers with aggressive legal maneuvers, often amplifying these tactics through emails and social media to cause maximum distress.
CSW: I want to stop the introduction of money laundering changes to Bitcoin, like coinjoin, that is illegal in multiple jurisdictions. I have stopped them or slowed them down, from the introduction of terrorism funding, money laundering and child pornography
Judge Mellor: Are…
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) December 19, 2024
He added:
“These contempts are so serious that a fine would not [be sufficient]. Can’t be certain Wright will pay a fine. Lack of means. Multiple clear breaches, rejection of opportunities to correct, Wright showing no remorse.”
Justice Mellor concurred with COPA's arguments, finding Wright guilty of violating court orders.
Judge Mellor: COPA's costs for the new claim must be paid on the indemnity basis
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) December 19, 2024
Judge Mellor: The prison term is suspended for 2 years
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) December 19, 2024
The judge condemned Wright's actions as a blatant breach of the law and ordered him to withdraw his legal claims against Bitcoin Core, Square, and associated developers.
Wright Branded a Liar
Justice Mellor found Wright guilty of contempt "beyond reasonable doubt," dismissing his claims of judicial bias and allegations of victimisation by the British aristocracy.
Wright had even cited the use of the word "Lord" in rulings against him as evidence of prejudice, a claim the judge deemed entirely unfounded.
The courtroom, filled with onlookers, included one wearing a T-shirt reading, "This is just an elaborate fiction"—a sentiment echoed by many critics of Wright's assertions.
Wright appeared via video link from an undisclosed location in Asia, refusing to attend in person unless compensated £240,000 for purported costs and lost income.
He has since announced plans to appeal the verdict, while continuing to withhold details about his whereabouts.
Judge: Do you dispute the contempt finding?
CSW: Yes, I will appeal
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) December 19, 2024
In a scathing judgment delivered in May, Justice Mellor criticised Wright as someone who, while projecting an image of great intelligence, "is not nearly as clever as he thinks he is.”
The judge described Wright as "an extremely slippery witness," accusing him of telling numerous lies and supporting them with forged documents—all to perpetuate his central falsehood: the claim that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin's elusive creator.
Mellor: He has expressed no remorse today. Promissory estoppel is legal nonsense. I impose on you, Dr Wright, a term of prison for 1 year, suspended for 2 years. Costs must be paid. Hough, you presented a schedule on costs.
H: Just on the contempt application.
— Norbert ⚡️ (@bitnorbert) December 19, 2024
While the penalty imposed reflects judicial condemnation, it raises a pressing question: does it truly address the severity of Wright's actions, or does it fall short of delivering full accountability?
