Crypto lawyer James A. Murphy—known online as “MetaLawMan”—has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing the agency of withholding records that could reveal the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious figure behind Bitcoin.
The case, lodged on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims the DHS failed to respond to Murphy’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted earlier this year. These requests specifically sought government documents that might provide insight into who created Bitcoin—a technology that now underpins a trillion-dollar market.
According to the complaint, Murphy believes the public has a right to know whether federal agencies possess information about the origins of Bitcoin and its elusive inventor.
“Given the massive public and private investment in Bitcoin, it is important for Mr. Murphy and the public to understand better what the federal government knows about the identity of the actor(s) responsible for creating Bitcoin,” Murphy’s legal team wrote in the filing.
Murphy, who boasts over 44,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), is well-known in crypto legal circles for his public commentary on regulation and blockchain law. This lawsuit, however, marks his most aggressive move yet in pushing for government transparency on one of the industry’s most enduring mysteries.
Lawsuit Alleges DHS Identified Satoshi as Group of Four
At the heart of James A. Murphy’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security lies a striking claim: that the agency may have quietly identified Bitcoin’s elusive creator years ago—and kept it under wraps.
Murphy’s court filing cites a 2019 conference appearance by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud, who allegedly stated that the department had not only traced the origins of Bitcoin but determined that Satoshi Nakamoto was not a single individual, but rather a team of four people. According to the claim, these individuals were interviewed by DHS agents in California and openly discussed the technical and ideological motivations behind the creation of Bitcoin.
The lawsuit also leans into the political climate under President Trump’s administration, which has repeatedly emphasized government transparency. Murphy’s legal team believes that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, newly appointed under the Trump White House, may be open to finally releasing the long-withheld information.
“My hope is that Secretary Noem will embrace transparency in this instance and share this information voluntarily,” Murphy said.
“However, if she does not, we are prepared to pursue this litigation as far as necessary to solve this mystery.”
Satoshi’s Shadow: The Search That Still Shakes Crypto
For over 15 years, the true identity of Bitcoin’s creator has remained one of the most persistent and intriguing mysteries in modern finance. Satoshi Nakamoto—whether an individual or a collective—first introduced Bitcoin in a 2008 white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” The document laid out a radical new vision for money: a decentralized financial system that operated outside the reach of central banks and governments.
The hunger for answers has sparked countless theories. From academic investigations to online sleuthing, many have tried and failed to unmask the creator. One of the most controversial attempts came last year, when HBO’s Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery claimed that core Bitcoin developer Peter Todd was the man behind the myth. Todd vehemently denied the allegations and accused the filmmakers of reckless endangerment, warning that such exposure could put his life at risk.
The stakes surrounding Nakamoto’s identity are not just philosophical—they’re economic, legal, and even geopolitical. And with lawsuits like Murphy’s now hitting federal courts, the search for Satoshi may be entering its most serious phase yet.
Quick Facts
- Crypto attorney James A. Murphy has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for allegedly withholding records related to Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity.
- The case stems from unanswered FOIA requests submitted by Murphy earlier this year.
- The lawsuit argues that public and private investment in Bitcoin justifies greater transparency around its origins.
- Murphy, known as “MetaLawMan” on X, is a prominent legal voice in the crypto space with over 44,000 followers.
