In a decisive ruling on May 12, a British High Court has issued a restraining order against Craig Wright, a figure notorious within the cryptocurrency realm, particularly for his contentious claims of being Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. High Court Judge Edward Mellor characterized Wright’s persistent legal maneuvers as a strategy to “weaponise legal systems,” which have created a veritable “hell” for many within the Bitcoin community.
Judge Mellor’s judgment highlighted how Wright’s aggressive defamation lawsuits have forced individuals and developers into lengthy and costly legal battles, often underpinned by what the judge deemed fabricated evidence. The court’s General Civil Restraint Order prohibits Wright from filing any further civil claims or applications in the High Court, marking a significant setback for a man who has long sought to silence critics through litigation.
The Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering innovation in cryptocurrency technologies, initially brought the claim against Wright in 2021. The court noted that the threats faced by COPA members, including notable figures like crypto blogger Peter McCormack and Magnus Granath (Hodlonaut), have had a chilling effect on development within the industry. Judge Mellor asserted that Wright’s actions have not only harmed individual defendants but have also disrupted innovation in a crucial sector.
This ruling follows a series of setbacks for Wright, including a March court decision affirming that he is not the author of the Bitcoin white paper. With the High Court’s latest intervention, the cryptocurrency community may finally breathe a sigh of relief, as the disruptive impact of Wright’s legal tactics is curtailed.
