Craig Wright Promises Transact from One of the First Bitcoin Addresses

News and Analysis
04.05.2016

Australian Craig Wright, who has recently claimed he is Satoshi Nakamoto, promised to provide additional evidence thereof. In particular, he stated he intends to effect a transaction from one of the first bitcoin addresses.

In his blog, Dr Wright noted the important issue earlier pointed out by Andreas Antonopoulos. Antonopoulos wrote:

“Andreas said something critically important and it bears repeating: “I think the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto does not matter”. He’s absolutely right. It doesn’t – and shouldn’t ­ matter to the Bitcoin community,” Wright wrote.

A Letter to an Old Friend

Craig Write noted that when his name had been first mentioned in connection to Satoshi, he hoped to remain beyond the highlights, and that his life would return back to normal. However, he acknowledges, his hopes were shattered. Considering fraud accusations and even personal threats, he thinks, there’s no way back.

Antonopoulos also said:

“I have consistently stated that the identity of the inventor of bitcoin doesn’t matter. Appeal to authority is the old way, not bitcoin.”

Commenting on his words again, Wright wrote:

“This is absolutely true, but not necessarily complete. This is absolutely true, but not necessarily complete. I can prove access to the early keys and I can and will do so by moving bitcoin, but this should be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for such an extraordinary claim.”

For that reason, he argues, he decided to talk with Bitcoin Core’s former developer Gavin Andresen, as he and Wright had contacted at Bitcoin’s dawn in 2010. According to Wright, Andresen should have remembered what they were talking about back then. Wright also stressed that he let Andresen know of his intents in duty bound, not because he is some sort of authority.

“It was important to me that we could re-establish our relationship. Simply signing messages or moving bitcoin would never be enough for Gavin. And it should not be enough for anyone else,” Wright added.

For that reason, Wright claims, he intends to publish a series of entries justifying the “extraordinary claims”. They will include documents for independent verification, as well as some counter-evidence to oppose fraud accusations. Wright also promised to effect a transaction from one of the very first blocks.

“You should be sceptical. You should question. I would. I will present what I believe to be “extraordinary proof” and ask only that it be independently validated. Ultimately, I can do no more than that,” Wright concluded.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s Press Office

It was announced that Craig Wright’s interests would be further promoted by London-based PR agency Milk Publicity, which had sent the sensational materials this Monday. Three major publications, namely BBC, The Economist, and GQ, announced that Craig Wright was Satoshi Nakamoto. Their reporters have met with Wright, and he provided them required proofs. Wright’s claim has been supported by Jon Matonis, founder of Bitcoin Foundation, and Gavin Andresen. However, many disbelieved the news, while some directly accused Wright of being a fraud.

First Bitcoins and Their Owner

Notably, Wright’s statement of intent to effect a transaction from one of Bitcoin’s early addresses directly contradicts information provided by The Economist. The publication wrote that Wright cannot effect any transactions because Satoshi’s bitcoins are now owned by a trust foundation.

Nick Caley, head of corporate communications for London-based PR firm The Outside Organization, which also acts for Wright, commented the contradiction to CoinDesk. He stated that the trust will have to grant permission to transact.

“The trustees will not consent to move trust assets. However, Dr Wright is securing consents to move BTC into and then out of the early addresses, provided that the trust assets are not diminished,” Caley stated.

He added that the bitcoins will be moved within next few days. However, he refused to comment on Wright’s possible moves in case the plan fails to get approval by the trust.

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