- Crypto lawyer sues DHS to release files that may reveal who created Bitcoin under the name Satoshi Nakamoto.
- A DHS agent once claimed they met Bitcoin’s creator in California along with three others involved in its creation.
- Lawsuit demands emails and notes that could confirm if the US government knows who started the Bitcoin network.
Crypto attorney James A. Murphy has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The legal request aims to determine if the agency possesses records which reveal Bitcoin’s actual creator identified through the Satoshi Nakamoto pseudonym.
The lawsuit originated from statements made at the OffshoreAlert Conference North America on April 29, 2019. At the event, DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud allegedly claimed that the agency had identified and interviewed Nakamoto in California. According to the report, the agents met not only one person but also three others said to have co-created Bitcoin.
Alleged Meeting Sparks Legal Action
Murphy argues that if DHS agents did meet individuals behind Bitcoin’s creation, official documentation should exist. The crypto lawyer is requesting access to emails, internal reports, and notes that could confirm such a meeting took place. He maintains that federal agencies are obligated to disclose information that serves public interest, especially on matters involving global financial systems.
He also made a direct appeal to DHS Secretary Christy Noem to voluntarily release the documents. However, DHS has yet to respond. Murphy noted the possibility that the agent’s claim may have been inaccurate but said the only way to know is through formal records.
Ongoing Debate Over Nakamoto’s Identity
The world still does not know who Satoshi Nakamoto actually is and this mystery stands as a major question in cryptocurrency. The author who launched Bitcoin through the white paper in 2008 and its network launch in 2009 disappeared from the scene. Crypto world speculation has dominated since Satoshi Nakamoto disappeared after initial development.
In recent years, several names have been floated as possible identities. In 2024, HBO aired The Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery, which suggested Canadian developer Peter Todd as a likely candidate. Todd rejected the claim. Other theories pointed to Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, with supposed technical links presented by researcher Matthew Sigel.
Rising Stakes With Institutional Investment
Murphy said the urgency to solve the mystery has grown with the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs. These investment products have drawn billions of dollars, making clarity around Bitcoin’s origins more critical. He also referred to a recent executive order by Donald Trump that proposed a strategic Bitcoin reserve. The reserve would be formed from federally seized digital assets.
While Murphy continues his legal efforts, the case may force DHS to confirm or deny possession of identity-related documents. The crypto industry now waits to see if the mystery of Bitcoin’s creator will finally come to light.
