Crypto Lawyer Sues DHS to Uncover Bitcoin Creator’s Identity

A high-profile cryptocurrency attorney has initiated legal action against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to uncover potential insights into the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s elusive creator.

James Murphy, also known as "MetaLawMan" on X (formerly known as Twitter), filed the lawsuit in a Washington DC District Court on 7 April, with support from Brian Field, a former US Assistant Attorney who now specialises in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases.

The lawsuit targets a 2019 statement made by Rana Saoud, a DHS Special Agent, during a financial intelligence conference, where she claimed the US government had identified and interviewed those behind Bitcoin.

Murphy seeks to compel DHS to release documents related to the agency’s knowledge, including any records from the interview with Nakamoto and alleged collaborators.

According to Saoud’s remarks, the government had located the Bitcoin creator, revealing that the individual was part of a group of four people, not working alone.

Saoud further indicated that these individuals had been interviewed in California, where they provided insights into Bitcoin’s creation and mechanics.

Despite the significant nature of these statements, DHS has neither confirmed nor denied the claims, nor released supporting documentation.

Murphy’s legal filing seeks access to internal emails, interview notes, and other records that could clarify the government’s knowledge of Nakamoto’s identity.

Hunt for Satoshi Nakamoto Rages on

Murphy stresses that his case is focused on uncovering documented truth, not speculation.

Murphy said:

“If the interview really happened as the DHS agent claimed, there should be documentation of the substance of that meeting.”

He remains hopeful for cooperation from the current Trump administration, which promised greater transparency from federal agencies.

In his appeal to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Murphy suggests that she could choose to release the information voluntarily, bypassing a lengthy court battle and supporting the government's transparency goals:

“It is entirely possible that the DHS agent was mistaken and DHS did not interview the real Satoshi. If DHS resists disclosure, I will pursue the case to conclusion to solve this mystery.”

Adding:

“My hope is that Secretary Noem will embrace transparency in this instance and share this information voluntarily. However, if she does not, we are prepared to pursue this litigation as far as necessary to solve this mystery.”

Murphy has made it clear that he is prepared to pursue this case to its fullest extent.

The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been one of cryptocurrency’s most enduring enigmas since the release of Bitcoin’s whitepaper in 2008 and the mining of its first block in 2009.

Over the years, theories have ranged from individuals to groups, and even intelligence agencies, all speculated to be behind the pseudonym.

The prospect of unmasking Nakamoto has sparked division within the crypto community—some see it as a long-awaited revelation, while others caution it could undermine Bitcoin’s core value of decentralisation.

This legal case now places new pressure on a US government agency to either confirm or deny its knowledge of the elusive creator.

Satoshi at 50: Identity Questions Persist

As the mystery surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto continues to intrigue, 5 April 5 2025, marks what many believe to be the 50th birthday of Bitcoin's elusive creator, based on a birthdate listed on their archived P2P Foundation profile.

This milestone coincides with growing legal and public pressure to uncover Nakamoto’s true identity.

Despite years of speculation—from cryptographers to theories involving intelligence agencies—no definitive answers have emerged.

Recently, Conor Grogan of Coinbase suggested that Kraken may possess KYC data linked to Satoshi's past exchange activity through CaVirtEx, a Canadian platform acquired in 2016.

Murphy’s legal action is the latest attempt to solve the riddle, distinguishing itself from past efforts which were rooted in speculation or online theories.

The move has divided the crypto community: some support the pursuit of Nakamoto’s identity, believing it would offer clarity, while others warn that such a revelation could undermine Bitcoin's foundational ethos of decentralisation.

If Nakamoto's identity is revealed and involves multiple creators still in control of early wallets or private keys, it could threaten Bitcoin's decentralised nature and challenge everything the cryptocurrency was designed to represent.

As the legal battle unfolds, the mystery of Bitcoin’s origin remains an unresolved chapter in its history.