We are nearing a dramatic conclusion to one of the most contentious legal battles in Bitcoin history. The High Court has handed down a significant sentence to Craig Wright, the self-proclaimed creator of Bitcoin. The sentencing, delivered by Justice Mellor, marks another key moment in the protracted courtroom saga involving Wright, the Bitcoin Devs and the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). Earlier this year, the court unequivocally found Wright’s claims to be fraudulent. It did so by clearly declaring he is not Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. This ruling now has triggered a suspended 12-month prison sentence for contempt of court. This is a decision with profound implications for both Wright and the broader ecosystem.
The judgment against Wright follows a series of legal maneuvers and breaches of court orders. Despite losing his previous lawsuit against COPA earlier this year, Wright persisted with new legal claims that violated explicit court injunctions. His “New Claim” sought damages amounting to an astronomical £900 billion while targeting over 100 companies and individuals, including Bitcoin developers and media outlets. The court found that these actions were not only abusive but also intended to intimidate his perceived adversaries.
Justice Mellor described Wright’s behavior as calculated and reckless, emphasizing that his contempt for the court’s orders undermined the administration of justice. Wright’s new claims were dismissed as an abuse of process, and his conduct was deemed to have caused significant financial and reputational harm to COPA and other affected parties. The judgment further noted that Wright used the litigation as a publicity device, drawing parallels with his previous failed attempts to assert his Bitcoin-related intellectual property rights.
Main Points
1. Breach of Court Orders
Wright was found guilty of deliberate breaches of a July 2024 court order, which explicitly prohibited him from filing new claims related to his assertion of Bitcoin ownership without prior court permission. Despite this, he initiated a “New Claim” targeting over 100 individuals and entities, including Bitcoin developers, media outlets, and corporations.
The court emphasized that this breach undermined the authority of its orders and demonstrated reckless disregard for judicial processes.The filing of the new claim was deemed an intentional violation, exacerbating the contempt charge.
2. Abusive and Vexatious Litigation
Wright’s “New Claim” was dismissed as an abuse of process, with the court describing it as part of a pattern of vexatious litigation. His new lawsuit sought nearly £900 billion in damages, which the court deemed entirely unrealistic and without merit.
Wright used legal proceedings as a tool to intimidate critics and advance his false claims to Bitcoin ownership. The court highlighted how his litigation strategy caused significant financial and reputational harm to his targets.
3. Lack of Remorse and Continued Defiance
During the hearing, Wright showed no remorse for his actions. Appearing via video link from Asia, he dismissed the judgment and continued to assert that he is Satoshi Nakamoto. His arguments included unrelated rants about Bitcoin protocols and patent disputes.
Wright’s defiance and failure to acknowledge his wrongdoing reinforced the court’s view that his conduct warranted the sentence.The court noted that Wright’s contempt was aggravated by his refusal to respect the judicial process.
4. Misuse of the Court for Publicity
Justice Mellor noted that Wright’s lawsuits were used as a publicity device, designed to promote his false claims and further his narrative of being the creator of Bitcoin.
This behavior wasted significant court resources and caused unnecessary distress to those he targeted.The court highlighted the harm caused to the Bitcoin ecosystem by Wright’s attempts to monopolize the Bitcoin narrative through litigation.
5. Encouragement of Supporters to Join Litigation
Wright actively encouraged his supporters to join his lawsuits, suggesting they could profit from the proceedings. The court viewed this as further evidence of his bad faith and calculated attempts to create division within the Bitcoin community.
This behavior demonstrated a deliberate attempt to escalate the litigation and drag more individuals into his legal battles.The court saw this as a tactic to amplify the harm caused by his vexatious claims.
6. Significant Financial and Reputational Harm Caused
Wright’s actions placed a substantial financial and emotional burden on his targets, including the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). The court noted the severe consequences for those forced to defend themselves against his baseless claims.
The court recognized the harm Wright’s actions caused not only to individuals but also to the industry as a whole. The financial costs of defending against Wright’s lawsuits ran into millions, further highlighting the abusive nature of his litigation strategy.
7. Continued False Assertions of Being Satoshi Nakamoto
Wright’s new claims and defenses repeatedly relied on the assertion that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, despite the court previously ruling that this claim is categorically false.
The court dismissed these assertions as legally irrelevant and devoid of credibility.Wright’s refusal to abandon this narrative was central to the court’s decision to impose a severe sentence.
8. High Culpability and Lack of Mitigating Factors
The court found that Wright’s conduct displayed high culpability due to its intentional nature and the significant harm it caused. No mitigating factors, such as remorse or extenuating circumstances, were identified.
Wright’s lack of cooperation and persistent defiance left the court with no option but to impose a custodial sentence, even if suspended.
The court’s sentencing reflects the gravity of Wright’s actions. Although Wright’s 12-month prison sentence has been suspended for two years, the conditions of suspension are strict. Should Wright breach the court’s July 2024 order again, the custodial sentence will be enforced. This decision, while lenient in its immediate application, sends a clear warning that further misconduct will not be tolerated. Additionally, Wright has been ordered to pay £145,000 in interim costs to COPA within 14 days, along with indemnity costs to SquareUp, a member of COPA’s alliance.
Justice Mellor highlighted Wright’s lack of remorse and his continued defiance during the proceedings. Wright, appearing remotely from an undisclosed location in Asia, dismissed the judgment and reiterated his controversial claims. The court described him as a “fantasist” who refuses to accept any view that contradicts his own narrative.
The repercussions of this judgment extend beyond the suspended sentence. The court has effectively struck out Wright’s new claims, closing the door on his latest attempt to litigate his way to Bitcoin ownership. Moreover, the possibility of financial restrictions on Wright’s UK-based assets looms large, further complicating his legal and financial standing.
While the sentencing does not include extradition provisions, Wright’s ability to travel freely may be curtailed, especially if additional legal actions are pursued in jurisdictions with closer ties to the UK. His ongoing lawsuits against Bitcoin developers and others may also face heightened scrutiny, given the court’s strong stance on his misuse of legal proceedings.
The case has broader implications for Bitcoin. Wright’s repeated claims and lawsuits have cast a shadow over the currency’s decentralized ethos, creating uncertainty and division within the community. COPA’s victory reaffirms the open and collaborative nature of blockchain development, which Wright’s actions sought to undermine.
This case also serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of legal systems. Wright’s litigation strategy, described by the court as vexatious and abusive has proven to be part of his downfall.
Author Profile
- Lucy Walker covers finance, health and beauty since 2014. She has been writing for various online publications.
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