The last person known to communicate directly with bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator says he now regrets getting involved in an effort early this year to reveal that person’s identity.
In a blog post published today, the former lead maintainer of Bitcoin Core, bitcoin’s dominant software project, Gavin Andresen wrote that regardless of the veracity of this person’s claims he believes the public should “ignore him.”
Andresen wrote:
“I regret ever getting involved in the ‘Who was Satoshi?’ game, and am going to spend my time on more fun and productive pursuits.”
The statements come months after Gizmodo and Wired published articles that identified Australian academic Craig Wright as Nakamoto in May, and statements made by Andresen supporting the finding (though soon after, the reveal was disputed).
The following month, it was revealed that Wright was pursing a series of blockchain patents, giving him a potential financial motive for the claim.
Andresen elaborated on the fall-out after those events in today’s post:
“Either he was Satoshi, but really wants the world to think he isn’t, so he created an impossible-to-untangle web of truths, half-truths and lies. And ruined his reputation in the process.”
Andresen directly addresses his audience imploring them to ignore Wright, regardless of the veracity of his claims. Instead, he says to leave the potential fraudulent claim to the alleged victims and law enforcement.
As for those “more fun pursuits,” we’ve reached out to Andresen for further comment, but at press time, have received no response.
Gavin Andresen image via Flickr