A crypto lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aiming to reveal the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious figure behind Bitcoin. James Murphy, also known as ‘MetaLawMan’ on X, submitted the case in Washington, D.C.
The litigation is the culmination of attempts over a long time to reveal Nakamoto’s identity, a mystery that has fascinated crypto fans ever since the creation of Bitcoin in 2009. Even as Bitcoin became a household name, with a market worth over $1 trillion, Nakamoto’s identity is not known.
Crypto legal challenge over Nakamoto’s identity
Some think Nakamoto is one person; others think that a group of individuals is behind him. Murphy is calling for information apparently withheld by the DHS to be released, supported by a former U.S. prosecutor named Brian Field.
Their challenge is based on allegations made by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud during a 2019 conference, where apparently, she stated the department had determined Nakamoto was a group of four, not a single individual.
The DHS officials interviewed these individuals in California, describing Bitcoin’s origins as well as its purpose. The DHS has not made public these individuals’ identities, however. Murphy’s position is that if the DHS has this information, then it must be released.
Murphy calls for Bitcoin creator transparency
With Bitcoin’s international reach and building investor enthusiasm, Murphy thinks transparency is key. He hopes DHS Secretary Kristi Noem will willingly disclose the information, consistent with the Trump administration’s promise of greater government transparency. If Noem refuses, Murphy is willing to take the matter to court.
The suitability of revealing Nakamoto’s real name is controversial among Bitcoiners. Other crypto-activists are impatient to know the author, but others believe exposing his name may spoil Bitcoin’s legend as a symbol of economic freedom and decentralization.
Others are concerned that publishing Nakamoto’s name will undermine Bitcoin as a decentralized, regulation-free entity. In 2024, a film made waves by calling Nakamoto Bitcoin creator Peter Todd, although Todd brushed the rumors aside on safety grounds. The Nakamoto mystery continues to captivate and split the world of crypto.
