Crypto Lawyer Takes On Department of Homeland Security to Reveal Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity
A cryptocurrency attorney has launched a legal battle against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, aiming to peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious figure who created Bitcoin.
James Murphy, recognized on social media as "MetaLawMan," filed the lawsuit in D.C. District Court, seeking to force the government to disclose information that could finally solve one of the biggest enigmas in the crypto world. As Bitcoin continues to dominate crypto with a market value exceeding $1 trillion, the identity of its founder, who vanished shortly after its 2009 debut, remains a topic of fascination and debate.
Murphy’s legal effort builds on years of speculation about whether Nakamoto is a lone genius or a collective of minds behind the world’s leading digital currency. The attorney has tapped Brian Field, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney with expertise in Freedom of Information Act cases, to bolster his push for transparency. The lawsuit hinges on intriguing statements made by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud, who, during a 2019 industry conference, hinted that the department knows more than it has let on about Bitcoin’s origins.
Video from 2019 where Homeland Security agents at a conference claim to know the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto saying "the agents flew out to California, and they realized he [Satoshi] wasn't alone in creating Bitcoin, there were three other people, and they sat down and talked… pic.twitter.com/65gkP0b2mP
— DΛVID (@DavidShares) April 7, 2025
A Claim That Could Change Everything
The filing points to Saoud’s presentation, where she reportedly stated that the DHS had not only identified Bitcoin’s creator but had located and interviewed them. According to her account, Nakamoto is not an individual but a group of four people based in California, who shared with agents the mechanics of Bitcoin and their reasons for launching it. Despite this revelation, the DHS has kept the identities of these individuals under wraps, fueling Murphy’s determination to bring the truth to light.
Murphy argues that the public deserves access to this information, given Bitcoin’s global popularity and the intense curiosity surrounding its roots. He told Crypto In America that the cryptocurrency’s rise as a favored investment vehicle has only heightened the stakes. With the Trump administration’s emphasis on government openness, Murphy is optimistic that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem might opt to release the details willingly, though he’s prepared to see the case through if resistance persists.
The DHS has yet to respond to inquiries about the lawsuit, leaving people waiting for the next development. Meanwhile, the crypto community finds itself split on the issue. Some enthusiasts are eager to uncover Nakamoto’s identity, driven by a desire to connect a face, or faces, to the revolutionary technology.
Others, however, see the mystique of Nakamoto as part of Bitcoin’s allure, a symbol of its break from traditional financial systems. There’s also concern that exposing the creators could disrupt the decentralized ethos that defines the cryptocurrency, potentially shaking confidence among its supporters. For now, the question of who Nakamoto really is hangs in the balance, with Murphy’s lawsuit poised to either crack the case wide open or deepen the intrigue.
This legal move marks yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of Bitcoin’s shadowy beginnings. As the courtroom drama unfolds, it’s clear that the outcome could ripple far beyond the crypto sphere, touching on broader themes of transparency and the interplay between government and innovation. Whether the DHS holds the key to Nakamoto’s identity or the mystery endures, Murphy’s pursuit ensures that the conversation around Bitcoin’s creator remains as alive as ever.