Dr. Craig Wright, the Australian computer scientist who has made claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin, has issued a settlement offer to the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) and other parties involved in various legal disputes with him. The statement, released ahead of a scheduled High Court trial in London, outlines his alleged intentions to protect the intellectual property rights of Bitcoin and preserve its foundational principles detailed in the Bitcoin White Paper.
Wright’s ongoing litigations, he asserts, are not motivated by a desire to reveal his identity as Nakamoto but to ensure Bitcoin’s adherence to its original vision, as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system facilitating micro-payments without financial intermediaries. His actions, including copyright claims against Bitcoin developers, are framed as efforts to safeguard this vision, he claims.
In his settlement offer, Dr. Wright proposes a non-negotiable agreement to settle the multiple claims cited, including passing-off claims and database-rights claims. The terms of the settlement aim to curtail the financial and focus-draining impacts of a protracted legal battle, allowing all involved to redirect their energies towards advancing digital currency technologies according to his writing.
Today I have sent to my opponents in the COPA litigation, the passing-off claims and database-rights claims, a non-negotiable offer to settle each of these cases, which is reproduced in its entirety at this link.https://t.co/Kecq7wDG8z
— Dr Craig S Wright (@Dr_CSWright) January 24, 2024
Wright allegedly extends an olive branch by offering to waive his database rights and copyrights concerning the BTC, BCH, and ABC databases, granting an irrevocable license in perpetuity to the involved parties. This concession is intended to foster open commercialization of digital currency technologies within a competitive and fair market where intellectual property rights are upheld.
Asserting the benefits of his proposal to the wider industry, Wright anticipates that the settlement terms will be perceived as non-contentious and will set the stage for a renewed collaborative effort in the development of Bitcoin and related technologies. This move, he hopes, will allow BSV and other cryptocurrencies to compete fairly on a global scale.
The settlement carries a seven-day acceptance window; failure to agree would mean proceeding to trial. Dr. Wright’s offer includes stipulations that each party bears its legal costs, and suggests charitable donations to Burnside, a Uniting Church in Australia supporting single mothers, or another agreed charity, instead of pursuing the claims further. He also pledges to donate any funds due to him from the proceedings to charity, thereby not profiting financially from the claims.
Additionally, Wright seeks acknowledgement that BTC, BCH, and ABC have evolved with distinct purposes divergent from Nakamoto’s original vision, which was to enable small casual transactions and on-chain scaling. He insists that all parties comply with international laws and regulations, particularly those about anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing.
The settlement offers further requests for the discontinuation of any media campaigns against Wright and calls for a public acknowledgement of the intended purposes of Bitcoin’s creation. This might sound as bizarre a request as any, for it is completely unenforceable as the press is supposed to be free.
Dr Wright concludes by expressing his belief that the settlement terms will pave the way for a fresh chapter in Bitcoin’s history, aiming to secure its prosperity in any form it may take.
The Reaction from COPA
COPA has issued a firm rejection of Craig Wright’s settlement offer, casting doubts on its sincerity and legality. In a recent statement, COPA voiced concerns that Wright’s history of allegedly forging documents and misrepresenting facts casts a shadow over the authenticity of his settlement proposal. They suggest that the offer contains loopholes that could potentially allow Wright to initiate future lawsuits, contradicting the offer’s purported aim to avoid protracted legal battles and to foster advancement in cryptocurrency technologies.
Furthermore, COPA underscores their skepticism regarding the requirement within the settlement that would necessitate them to acknowledge Wright as Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. They reference an analysis of new documents presented by Wright, which they claim even Wright’s experts acknowledge as forged, to bolster their position against accepting the settlement.
Hard pass on that "settlement."
— COPA (@opencryptoorg) January 24, 2024
Just like Craig Wright forges documents and doesn't quite tell the truth, his description of the settlement offer isn't quite accurate either – it comes with loopholes that would allow him to sue people all over again.
COPA’s outright dismissal of the settlement offer suggests a deep-rooted mistrust between the parties and signals a readiness to continue the dispute in court rather than reach an out-of-court settlement that they perceive as fundamentally flawed and deceptive. This development adds another layer to the already complex legal saga surrounding the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto and the rightful claim to Bitcoin’s legacy.
Peter McCormack Weighs In
Peter McCormack, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency community, has shared a sobering account of his legal entanglement with Dr. Craig Wright and Calvin Ayre. McCormack reflects on the daunting prospect he faced just two months before his trial, where the discovery of fabricated evidence turned the tables in a case that seemed almost lost. He candidly discloses the immense financial pressures that loomed over him, with potential legal costs amounting to around £5 million, a sum that threatened to completely bankrupt him.
McCormack recounts the harrowing reality that his business assets, which included a football club and a podcast, were at risk of being forcibly liquidated to cover court expenses. He also faced the possibility of Dr. Wright acquiring ownership of these assets as part of the settlement. The personal stakes were high, with the risk of losing his home and possessions, all while striving to provide stability for his children during the turbulent period.
The emotional and physical toll of the ordeal on McCormack is palpable as he describes the severe stress that led to hospital admissions for stress-induced supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) episodes. The support of individuals like Danny Knowles during these trying times is acknowledged as a crucial element of his resilience.
McCormack’s narrative extends beyond his struggles, pointing to a broader pattern of aggressive legal tactics that he suggests are employed by Wright and Ayre. He argues that such tactics aim not only to win legal battles but also to inflict personal and financial devastation on the defendants, regardless of the collateral damage to families and livelihoods. He expresses solidarity with others such as Hodlonaut, who may have endured similar trials.
The story McCormack shares is one of survival against overwhelming odds. It is a tale that resonates within the crypto community, shedding light on the psychological and financial impact of litigation in the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency and intellectual property rights.
For context re: Craig Wright and Calvin Ayre and why there should be no mercy.
— Peter McCormack 🏴☠️ (@PeterMcCormack) January 24, 2024
Two months before my trial and before we found the fabricated evidence, it looked like I would lose.
I held multiple calls with my lawyers bankruptcy team. Craig’s costs would have wiped me out – £5m…
The Whistleblower Point of View
Christen Ager-Hanssen, the former CEO of nChain, has joined the chorus of voices responding critically to Dr. Craig Wright’s recent settlement offer to COPA. Ager-Hanssen dismisses the offer as laughable, questioning why COPA would consider a compromise when they are seemingly on the verge of a clear-cut victory. He accuses Wright of naivety and holds him responsible for causing “significant damage to countless businesses and individuals.”
Ager-Hanssen’s use of the hashtag #Faketoshi, a term popularly used by skeptics to refer to Wright’s claim of being Satoshi Nakamoto, underscores his disbelief in Wright’s assertion of his identity as the creator of Bitcoin. This skepticism is rooted in the upheaval and controversies that have unfolded over the last eight years since Wright proclaimed himself to be the enigmatic Bitcoin founder.
His reaction suggests that Ager-Hanssen believes Wright’s actions have been chaotic and detrimental to the cryptocurrency ecosystem, implying that accountability, rather than settlement, is in order. Ager-Hanssen’s firm stance reflects a broader sentiment within certain sectors of the cryptocurrency community, where there is a demand for clarity and the upholding of ethical standards in the wake of disputes that have the potential to undermine confidence in the industry.
What a joke! Why should COPA compromise on an evident victory?
— Christen Ager-Hanssen (@agerhanssen) January 24, 2024
This shows how naive @Dr_CSWright is. He caused significant damage to countless businesses and individuals, and he should be held accountable for all of the chaos he produced over the last 8 years after declaring… pic.twitter.com/BrZxv4kaF5
Hodlonaut in Disbelief
Hodlonaut, a notable figure in the cryptocurrency space who has been embroiled in legal proceedings with Dr. Craig Wright, has expressed skepticism regarding Wright’s recent settlement offer to the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). In a succinct tweet, Hodlonaut implies suspicion about the timing of the settlement offer, noting it follows closely on the heels of the discrediting of the latest set of evidence presented by Wright.
The tone of the message is one of disbelief, with Hodlonaut flatly predicting that COPA is unlikely to consider Wright’s offer as credible or worthy of acceptance, going so far as to label it “ridiculous.” This statement from Hodlonaut resonates with the sentiment of others in the crypto community who have cast doubt on Wright’s claims and legal strategies.
The tweet underscores a broader narrative of mistrust and controversy that has surrounded Wright’s claim to the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto and his actions within the cryptocurrency landscape. Hodlonaut’s commentary contributes to the ongoing conversation about the authenticity of claims to Bitcoin’s origin and adds to the public discourse on the matter, which is closely watched by many within the industry.
And there is the settlement offer.
— hodlonaut 80 IQ 13%er 🌮⚡🔑 🐝 (@hodlonaut) January 24, 2024
Curious timing that it would come just after the latest batch of "evidence" was dismantled. 🤷♂️
PS: Imo, there is no way COPA will accept this. It's ridiculous. https://t.co/6tCBjEZ59S pic.twitter.com/eajxoDbjco
Community Reaction
Arthur van Pelt has voiced a staunch rejection of Dr. Craig Wright’s settlement offer to the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), indicating a significant lack of alignment between Wright’s proposals and COPA’s objectives in the lawsuit. Van Pelt underscores that COPA seeks a definitive legal decision on three key points: Wright’s claim to the Satoshi Nakamoto identity, the absence of his copyright claim over Bitcoin, and an assertion of fraudulent activity on his part. Wright’s settlement, according to Van Pelt, fails to address any of these crucial elements, rendering it unacceptable to COPA.
Further emphasizing the critical stance, Van Pelt characterizes Wright’s sudden move to settle as an attempt to continue capitalizing on the Satoshi moniker while evading the consequences of what he terms as “500+ self-made forgeries.” Van Pelt’s commentary suggests a perspective that views Wright’s settlement offer not as a genuine attempt to resolve the dispute, but rather as a strategy to avoid deeper scrutiny and potential legal repercussions.
Concluding with a candid dismissal, Van Pelt expresses a lack of faith in Wright’s claim and intentions, mockingly refuting the offer and implying that Wright’s position in the matter of his identity and the authenticity of his documents has been irrevocably compromised. This response from Van Pelt indicates that the parties are likely to continue their legal confrontation, with COPA seemingly prepared to seek a decisive verdict in court rather than entertain a settlement that does not meet their core demands for clarity and accountability.
COPA will fully reject Craig Wright's offer to settle.
— Artie Fan Belt 🔥 ∞/21M ⚡ (@Arthur_van_Pelt) January 24, 2024
This settlement is not offering anything that COPA wants in their lawsuit. They want a ruling "is not Satoshi, has no copyright, is a fraud instead".
Not any of these 3 points is offered by Craig Wright.
In a recent post, Diginaut expressed a critical view of the proposed settlement between Dr. Craig Wright, Calvin Ayre, and the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). He signals a concern that accepting the settlement could potentially leave vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, metaphorically allowing Wright and Ayre to “poison Bitcoin” further down the line. This statement reflects a sentiment of caution within the crypto community, where the integrity of Bitcoin and its guiding principles are often defended against actions perceived as detrimental or manipulative.
Diginaut’s choice of words indicates a belief that the settlement could be inadequate in addressing the underlying issues at stake in the ongoing legal battles involving Wright and Ayre. The tweet suggests that a resolution through settlement might not provide the closure or protection needed for Bitcoin’s ecosystem, hinting at the preference for a more definitive legal conclusion that forecloses future conflicts. This skepticism towards the settlement underscores the ongoing debate over the stewardship of Bitcoin and the role that legal disputes play in shaping the narrative and future of cryptocurrencies.
The contentious legal saga involving Dr Craig Wright and various parties within the cryptocurrency community has reached a new crescendo with the rejection of Wright’s settlement offer by COPA and other key figures like Peter McCormack and Hodlonaut. The overarching narrative is one of deep-seated skepticism and outright dismissal of Wright’s claims and his latest legal manoeuvre. Allegations of document forgery and the questionable timing of Wright’s proposal have only fueled the fire of this dispute.
As the community stands mostly opposed, with many rallying against Wright’s claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the future of this legal battle seems destined to be decided in the courtroom. This series of events not only underscores the complexities of establishing the truth in the cryptosphere but also highlights the high emotional and financial stakes involved in the fight for legitimacy and the shaping of Bitcoin’s legacy.
Author Profile

- Lucy Walker covers finance, health and beauty since 2014. She has been writing for various online publications.
Latest entries
- April 9, 2025Global EconomicsTariff Tensions Drive Market Volatility
- March 18, 2025Global EconomicsRed in Name Only: Labour’s War on the UK Working Class
- March 7, 2025SatoshiCraig Wright Banned from UK Courts with Civil Restraint Order
- February 19, 2025BitcoinThe Rise of State-Level Strategic Bitcoin Reserves