Crypto Market News: Lawsuit Claims DHS Met Satoshi Nakamoto—Crypto Lawyer Demands Proof

Crypto attorney James Murphy, also known as MetaLawMan, has launched a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The suit, filed on April 7, requests documents that could confirm whether the government knows who created Bitcoin.

The request centers on remarks made by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud at a 2019 financial intelligence conference. During her speech, she said DHS agents traveled to California and spoke with four individuals believed to be connected to the development of Bitcoin. Saoud explained that the agents discovered the alleged creator was “not acting alone” and had worked with others.

Murphy is asking for internal communications, emails, and meeting records that could validate this account. He stated on X (formerly Twitter), 

“All I’m asking for are the documents that would show whether this meeting really happened.”

https://twitter.com/MetaLawMan/status/1909239172587536428

Statements From 2019 Raise Questions

The claims came during the OffshoreAlert Conference held in Miami in 2019. In her talk, Saoud stated DHS agents had asked the group questions about how Bitcoin functions, why it was created, and what their future intentions were for the project. A video of the conference remains publicly available.

Murphy is now seeking to confirm whether those statements were accurate and whether there is a written record of the meeting. In a public post, he said, 

“If DHS agents did speak to the creators of Bitcoin, there should be paperwork somewhere that reflects that.”

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Field, who focuses on FOIA litigation, is working with Murphy on the case. They have called on DHS Secretary Christy Noem to release the materials without delay, but also indicated they are prepared to see the case through if needed.

Ongoing Efforts to Identify Bitcoin’s Creator

This legal move adds to a growing number of attempts to uncover the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Over the years, several people have been mentioned as possible candidates, but none have been confirmed.

In 2023, a documentary by HBO suggested Canadian developer Peter Todd may be the person behind the name. Todd later said the claims had no foundation, calling them “entirely misleading.” Other names like Nick Szabo, Adam Back, and Hal Finney have been suggested in the past, but all have either denied involvement or, in Finney’s case, passed away.

While some in the crypto space want answers, others believe the mystery around Nakamoto is part of what gives Bitcoin its strength.

Next Legal Steps Could Take Time

Murphy has said he is ready to continue with the lawsuit if DHS declines to provide the records. He aims to use the FOIA process to find out whether any meeting happened between DHS agents and the alleged creators of Bitcoin.

“If there really was a meeting like this, there has to be a record,” he said in a recent statement. “We’re just asking for the government to confirm what it knows.”

The lawsuit will now move through the court process as Murphy seeks to uncover any evidence that may confirm or disprove what was said in 2019.