The mystery of who created the digital currency Bitcoin might finally have been solved, bringing an end to years of speculation. The hunt for Bitcoin's founder had become a mission for some journalists. Attention was focused for a time on a Finnish sociologist, a Japanese math whiz and a Japanese-American engineer.
In December, the technology magazine Wired and the website Gizmodo both published lengthy investigations based on documents and emails that concluded Wright was probably the man behind the pseudonym. He was living in an upscale suburb of Sydney at the time.
If Mr Wright is indeed Mr Nakamoto that would not only help to illuminate the origins of bitcoin—it could also have a big impact on the future of the controversial cryptocurrency. His return from obscurity would most certainly change the dynamics of the debate about bitcoin’s future direction.
Hours after Mr Wright’s identity was revealed by Wired and the Gizmodo technology blog in December, police in Australia raided his home and office in Sydney, apparently as part of a tax investigation. More than 10 police personnel arrived at the house in the Sydney suburb of Gordon. Two police staff wearing white gloves could be seen from the street searching the cupboards and surfaces of the garage. At least three more were seen from the front door. Wright is involved in a number of tech enterprises in Australia, company records show. The documents published by Gizmodo appear to show records of an interview with the Australian Tax Office surrounding his tax affairs in which his bitcoin holdings are discussed at length.
Today anonymous sources from the UK police leaked information about intentions to arrest Mr. Wright using anti-terror legislation, however this is yet to be confirmed.
Mr Wright showed “technical proof” of his identity to the BBC, The Economist and GQ. The publications were shown digitally signed messages sent in the early days of the technology that are linked to Bitcoins that are known to have been owned by Satoshi Nakamoto.
“Some people will believe, some people won’t and to tell you the truth I don’t really care.” "I have not done this because it is what I wanted,” “It's not because of my choice.” Mr Wright said.
Collen Kriel
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