Dorian Nakamoto denies any knowledge of Bitcoin or cryptography

Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, the man identified by Newsweek as the creator of Bitcoin, issued a statement today saying the "false report" has harmed his job prospects and created stress for him and his family.

"I did not create, invent or otherwise work on Bitcoin. I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report," his statement read.

The cryptocurrency Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by a person calling himself Satoshi Nakamoto, but the man profiled by Newsweek says the magazine got the wrong guy. His statement today was reported by news outlets including the Los Angeles Times and was posted in full on Twitter by Reuters reporter Felix Salmon. The statement was provided to media by Nakamoto's lawyer, Ethan Kirschner.

"The first time I heard the term 'bitcoin' was from my son in mid-February 2014," the statement says. "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."

Nakamoto went on to write that his background is in engineering, that he knows how to program, and that his most recent job was as an electrical engineer troubleshooting air traffic control equipment for the Federal Aviation Administration. But his knowledge wouldn't have been sufficient to create Bitcoin, he wrote. "I have no knowledge of nor have I ever worked on cryptography, peer to peer systems, or alternative currencies."

Nakamoto's career stalled and he's having trouble getting work because of health problems and the Newsweek article, the statement said.

"I have not been able to find steady work as an engineer or programmer for ten years," he wrote. "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 [have] been harmed because of Newsweek's article."

Finally, Nakamoto wrote that the 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 have retained legal counsel. This will be our last public statement on the matter. I ask that you now respect our privacy."

Nakamoto previously denied inventing Bitcoin the same day Newsweek's story came out. The Newsweek article relied on a quote in which Nakamoto said he was "no longer involved in that." Newsweek said that he was referring to Bitcoin. Nakamoto told an Associated Press reporter that he was referring to engineering in general rather than a specific project.

Newsweek today said it would not comment. "Newsweek has not received any statement or letter from either Mr. Nakamoto or his legal counsel," the publication said on its website. "If and when we do, we will respond as necessary."

See the rest here:
Dorian Nakamoto denies any knowledge of Bitcoin or cryptography