Newsweek recently dubbed Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto “the face behind Bitcoin” in a major scoop as part of the publication’s return to print. Although the claims were promptly refuted by the 64-year old man, who lives a modest life in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel foothills, Newsweek has maintained its stance on the original story. The whole ordeal led to a media stakeout and even a car chase but now Nakamoto says it’s time to “clear his name.”
He hired a Los Angeles law firm to help with his effort and last night provided a written statement to Reuters’ Felix Salmon ‘unconditionally denying’ any involvement with the crypto currency.
In his statement Nakamoto says his background is in engineering and programming but he hasn’t been able to find steady work in either field for the past decade. His most recent job was as an electrical engineer troubleshooting air traffic control equipment for the FAA. But despite his technical profile, he admits to having “no knowledge of nor [experience working] on cryptography, peer to peer systems, or alternative currencies.”
The latter is perhaps the strongest argument against Newsweek’s claims. Although the publication asserts Dorian Nakamoto had the skills and background to create Bitcoin, experts believe there’s not enough evidence that he knew cryptography. According to Ed Felten, a computer science professor at Princeton, "The real Satoshi was obviously conversant with crypto — the Bitcoin design shows it, and the fluency of the crypto discussion in the paper tells us that Satoshi was well acquainted with the jargon and literature of the field.”
The alleged Bitcoin creator is believed to own nearly $400 million of the crypto currency at current trading prices, yet Dorian S. Nakamoto had to discontinue his internet service in 2013 due to “severe financial distress”. He’s also recovering from prostate surgery and a stroke suffered October of 2013, and claims his prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek’s article.
Closing off his statement, and perhaps setting the stage for legal action and damage claims, Nakamoto says Newsweek’s false report has been the source of a great deal of confusion and stress for himself and his family, noting that this will be his last statement and asking for people to respect their privacy.
Nakamoto's full statement is below.
My name is Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto. I am the subject of the Newsweek story on Bitcoin. I am writing this statement to clear my name.
I did not create, invent or otherwise work on Bitcoin. I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report.
The first time I heard the term “bitcoin” was from my son in mid-February 2014. After being contacted by a reporter, my son called me and used the word, which I had never before heard. Shortly thereafter, the reporter confronted me at my home. I called the police. I never consented to speak with the reporter. In an ensuing discussion with a reporter from the Associated Press, I called the technology “bitcom.” I was still unfamiliar with the term.
My background is in engineering. I also have the ability to program. My most recent job was as an electrical engineer troubleshooting air traffic control equipment for the FAA. I have no knowledge of nor have I ever worked on cryptography, peer to peer systems, or alternative currencies.
I have not been able to find steady work as an engineer or programmer for ten years. I have worked as a laborer, polltaker, and substitute teacher. I discontinued my internet service in 2013 due to severe financial distress. I am trying to recover from prostate surgery in October 2012 and a stroke I suffered in October of 2013. My prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek’s article.
Newsweek’s false report has been the source of a great deal of confusion and stress for myself, my 93-year old mother, my siblings, and their families. I offer my sincerest thanks to those people in the United States and around the world who have offered me their support. I have retained legal counsel. This will be our last public statement on this matter. I ask that you now respect our privacy.
Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto
Temple City, California
March 17, 2014
