Cryptocurrency enthusiasts may be disappointed if they anticipate a three-week trial in Miami federal court to finally establish the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin. But curiosity-seekers will nonetheless be attracted to watch Australian computer scientist Craig Wright, the self-described inventor of bitcoin, defend himself against the claim that he has created peer-to-peer-to-billions of dollars more than blockchain technology. Related peer currency and intellectual property.
The brother of Dave Kleiman, who died in 2013, alleged that the late computer scientist collaborated with Wright on the early development of bitcoin and that the property is entitled to half the value of 1.1 million bitcoins in cash, valued at $62,545. By noon on October 29, it is believed to have been held by Satoshi. Whether that stash can still be recovered is no guarantee.
Some prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and investors regard Wright as a fake and believe that Satoshi’s permanent anonymity is part of bitcoin’s genius — a competitive advantage for an innovation that has drawn scrutiny and anger from countless governments. Wright lives up to his claim, even suing critics who have called him a fraud.
Yet the Kleiman case is not primarily about whether Wright is actually Satoshi. The issue in the trial, which begins with jury selection on Monday, is whether a business partnership existed between Wright and Kleiman prior to the latter’s death.
Wright is certainly “a significant early innovator in cryptocurrency, and is also rich in cryptocurrency,” said Aaron Brown, a crypto investor who also writes for Bloomberg Opinion. “Furthermore, his claim to be the main or sole author of the original bitcoin white paper has little support.”
Despite the skepticism, crypto fans will follow the test for any clues. Satoshi speculation is a favorite hobby in the crypto community, and last month, venture capitalist Peter Thiel also joined in, speculating that the real Satoshi was on the same beach in Anguilla in February 2000. Whatever Satoshi is, he probably has access to enough bitcoin to dramatically influence the market.
The Kleiman Estate complaint against Wright was first filed about three years ago, but the case has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Emails in court records show that the men had a sympatico relationship – in a message Wright called Kleiman his “best friend” – but Kleiman’s brother, Ira, would try to prove that their business partnership Was.
So far, it has included a re-examination of events such as the Thanksgiving dinner conversation in 2009. Ira Kleiman has testified that Dave told her over the holiday meal that he was developing something “bigger than Facebook” before removing the now famous bitcoin logo. : a b with two lines through it in the style of a plus sign.
Wright’s testimony itself could prove conclusive. Earlier in the litigation, the Kleiman estate accused Wright of “a continuing pattern of perjury, forged evidence, misleading filings and obstruction”. Right.
The case is Kleiman v. Wright, 18-CV-80176, US District Court, District of Southern Florida (Miami).
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