Murphy vs DHS: The Legal Battle On Bitcoin’s Mysterious Creator

In a surprising turn of events, attorney James Murphy has filed a lawsuit demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Filed on April 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the legal action follows the agency’s failure to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request Murphy submitted earlier this year.

The FOIA Request That Sparked the Lawsuit

Murphy, known for sharing legal analysis on digital assets through his social media handle @MetaLawMan, submitted a FOIA request to DHS on February 12. The request came after a shocking claim made back in 2019. During a public presentation on April 29, 2019, DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud stated that her agency had interviewed Satoshi Nakamoto. That single statement sparked curiosity: if DHS does know who Satoshi is, why is it keeping that information secret?

DHS Special Agent Claimed an In-Person Interview with Satoshi

According to the lawsuit, Saoud made her statements at the 2019 OffshoreAlert Conference North America. She shared details about a DHS mission to California that involved meeting four people who played a role in creating Bitcoin. Saoud claimed that the agents didn’t just learn about Bitcoin’s origin; they sat down and spoke with those involved. In her words:
“He wasn’t alone in creating this. There were 3 other people. And they sat down and met with them and talked to them to find out how this works and what their reason for it was.”

This comment directly contradicts the long-held belief that Satoshi Nakamoto was a lone creator. If accurate, it could reshape the way we think about Bitcoin’s beginnings.

Why Murphy Says the Public Deserves the Truth

Murphy argues that this isn’t just about curiosity; it’s about public interest. With federal and state governments taking a serious look at Bitcoin as a possible investment tool, he believes transparency is crucial. “These records are crucial,” Murphy says, pointing out that officials are exploring ways to invest in Bitcoin, and the U.S. Senate is even considering a bill to create a Bitcoin reserve managed by the Treasury.

He also noted that around 20 states are looking at laws that would let public funds be invested in Bitcoin. Add to that an executive order from President Donald Trump to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and the stakes become even higher. The identity of Bitcoin’s creator could influence how governments and institutions view and handle this digital asset.

DHS Has Yet to Respond

Despite these serious concerns, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have not released any records. They haven’t even confirmed whether Murphy’s FOIA request is being processed. As a result, Murphy has turned to the court to compel DHS to respond and release the requested documents.

As interest in Bitcoin grows, so does the demand for transparency. Whether or not DHS truly knows the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains to be seen, but Murphy’s case might just bring some long-awaited answers to light.