Craig Wright is an Australian computer scientist and businessman who gained significant notoriety in the cryptocurrency world by claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. His claims, first made public in 2015, have been met with widespread skepticism from the cryptocurrency community and have sparked intense debate and controversy.
In December 2015, Wired and Gizmodo published articles suggesting Wright might be Satoshi Nakamoto. Shortly after, Wright publicly declared himself as Bitcoin's creator. He attempted to prove this claim by demonstrating he possessed Satoshi's cryptographic keys and performing a signing ceremony with select media outlets and Bitcoin developers. However, these attempts were widely considered unsuccessful, with cryptography experts pointing out significant flaws in his evidence.
Prior to his Bitcoin claims, Wright worked in various IT and security roles. He holds multiple degrees and certifications in computer science, economics, and other fields. He's been involved in several technology companies and has filed numerous blockchain-related patents through his company nChain.
Wright has become one of the most controversial figures in cryptocurrency, particularly due to his actions in the Bitcoin community:
Wright has been involved in several high-profile legal cases, including the Kleiman estate lawsuit, where he was sued for allegedly stealing intellectual property and Bitcoin mining rights from his former business partner, Dave Kleiman. This case resulted in Wright being ordered to pay $100 million in damages to Kleiman's estate in December 2021.
Wright's claims and actions have had lasting effects on the cryptocurrency ecosystem:
Despite maintaining his claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto, Wright has yet to provide cryptographic proof that would satisfy the broader cryptocurrency community. The simple act of moving coins from one of Satoshi's known Bitcoin wallets or signing a message with Satoshi's private keys would prove his claims, yet this hasn't occurred. This has led most experts and community members to dismiss his claims, though he maintains a following of supporters who believe in his identity as Bitcoin's creator.
While Wright continues to be active in the cryptocurrency space, particularly with Bitcoin SV, his influence has diminished as the broader crypto community has largely moved on from the Satoshi identity debate. However, his story remains a significant chapter in Bitcoin's history and serves as a reminder of the importance of cryptographic proof and verification in the cryptocurrency world.