A representative for Craig Wright – the Australian academic and businessman who in recent days has sought to prove that he is bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto – says that he will provide further evidence through the movements of bitcoins.
As first reported by the BBC, Wright will seek to prove himself “by moving a coin from an early block”.
Nick Caley, head of corporate communications for London-based PR firm The Outside Organization, confirmed the plan when contacted by CoinDesk. Wright is being further represented by Milk Publicity, also based in London, which circulated press materials on Monday.
However, the plan seems to contradict statements given by Wright to The Economist, which reported that the Australian said he “can’t send any bitcoin because they are now owned by a trust”.
When asked about the discrepancy, Caley told CoinDesk that Wright will seek permission from the trustees to use one of those early bitcoin addresses, explaining:
“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.”
He added that the planned coin movement would take place “in the coming days”, but declined to comment when asked what steps would be taken if the trustees disapproved of the plan.
In a new blog article posted earlier today, Wright wrote that he will be releasing evidence beyond moving bitcoins.
“So, over the coming days, I will be posting a series of pieces that will lay the foundations for this extraordinary claim, which will include posting independently-verifiable documents and evidence addressing some of the false allegations that have been levelled, and transferring bitcoin from an early block,” he stated.
Wright’s efforts to prove that he is Satoshi – bolstered by supportive testimony from former Bitcoin Core maintainer Gavin Andresen and Bitcoin Foundation founding director Jon Matonis – have faced much scrutiny from critics, who argue that the proof offered by the Australian academic on his own blog is either false or fraudulent.
Image via BBC News
This article has been updated