A prominent cryptocurrency attorney has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking to uncover the mysterious identity of Bitcoin's creator, known as Satoshi Nakamoto.
James Murphy, known professionally as MetaLawMan, filed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit on April 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The legal action stems from statements made by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud at a 2019 financial intelligence conference.
According to court documents, Saoud claimed that DHS agents had interviewed Nakamoto in California, discovering that three other individuals were also involved in Bitcoin's creation. Despite this public disclosure, the identities of these four people remain unknown.
Murphy's lawsuit demands access to internal DHS records, including documents, emails, and notes that could verify whether this interview took place. The attorney argues that such a meeting would have generated substantial documentation within the agency.
The case arrives amid growing government interest in Bitcoin, with President Trump recently establishing a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" and multiple states considering legislation to invest public funds in the cryptocurrency.
The search for Satoshi Nakamoto has generated numerous theories over the years. Recent speculation has focused on figures like Canadian developer Peter Todd and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, though no definitive proof has emerged.
While some crypto enthusiasts believe Satoshi's anonymity strengthens Bitcoin's decentralized nature, others argue that revealing the creator's identity could provide valuable insights into the cryptocurrency's future.
The lawsuit's outcome could have far-reaching implications, particularly given that Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin holdings are worth approximately $86.9 billion at current prices.
Murphy has called on DHS Secretary Christy Noem to release the information voluntarily but maintains his readiness to pursue legal action until the truth emerges.