Australian confesses to being the mysterious Bitcoin founder

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Bitcoin medals. Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright on May 2, 2016 identified himself as the creator of Bitcoin, following years of speculation about who invented the pioneering digital currency. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:50pm, 2 May 2016Updated: 9:50pm, 2 May 2016

An Australian man who has long been rumoured to be associated with the digital currency Bitcoin has publicly identified himself as its creator, apparently solving one of the biggest and most debated mysteries in the tech world.

BBC News said yesterday that Craig Wright told the media outlet he is the man previously known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The computer scientist, inventor and academic said he launched the currency in 2009 with the help of others.

His identity had been shrouded in uncertainty until now, and the media’s inability to pinpoint the person responsible had led to a series of investigations.

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Last year, some reports claimed Wright was the founder and had used a false name to mask his identity.The BBC said Wright had decided to make his identity known to stop the spread of “misinformation” about Bitcoin.

A Bitcoin ATM. An Australian man long thought to be associated with the digital currency Bitcoin has publicly identified himself as its creator. BBC News said that Craig Wright told the media outlet he is the man previously known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The computer scientist, inventor and academic says he launched the currency in 2009 with the help of others. Photo: AP