Key Takeaways
- Craig Wright receives a one-year suspended prison sentence for contempt of court in his claim to be Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
- The UK court has ruled that Wright's actions were fraudulent, ordering him to stop legal actions against Bitcoin developers.
- Wright's lawsuits, including a $1.15 trillion claim against Square, are dismissed as he violated court orders, with COPA seeking to end his legal threats over Bitcoin's IP.
Craig Wright's Contempt of Court Sentence
Craig Wright, who claims to be Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has been sentenced to one year in prison for contempt of court.
Justice James Edward Mellor issued the sentence after finding Wright's conduct included 'significant and persistent falsehoods.'
The prison sentence is suspended for two years, meaning Wright will only serve time if he commits further offenses.
Legal Battles and COPA's Involvement
Wright initiated a $1.15 trillion lawsuit against Bitcoin developers and Square, alleging they misrepresented Bitcoin.
The court ruled Wright violated an order prohibiting him from claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto or pursuing related legal actions.
The Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) sought a declaration that Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, aiming to curb his legal threats.
Judicial Findings and Consequences
Justice Mellor concluded that the evidence against Wright was 'overwhelming,' stating he was not Satoshi Nakamoto and had fabricated documents.
The judge described Wright's actions as a 'vehicle for fraud' aimed at supporting his false identity claim.
Justice Mellor also suggested the Crown Prosecution Service consider criminal charges for 'wholesale perjury,' though no such charges have been filed yet.
