Crypto Advocate Sues DHS for Bitcoin Creator Documents

On April 7, 2025, attorney and crypto advocate James A. Murphy filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit seeks the release of documents allegedly tied to a government interview with individuals claiming to be the creators of Bitcoin. The case centers around a claim made by DHS Special Agent Rana Saoud during the 2019 OffshoreAlert Conference, where Saoud stated that DHS agents traveled to California to interview not just one person using the Satoshi Nakamoto pseudonym, but a group of four individuals involved in Bitcoin’s creation.

Murphy had previously submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to DHS in February, seeking access to any records of such interviews and other documentation related to the identity of Bitcoin’s creator. Although DHS acknowledged receipt of the request, it failed to respond within the timeframe required by law, leading to the lawsuit. Murphy argues that the requested records are of “immense public importance,” especially amid growing government interest in Bitcoin. The complaint further highlighted key developments such as President Trump’s March 6 Executive Order to establish a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” and ongoing legislative efforts in nearly 20 states to authorize public investment in Bitcoin.

If proven true, the claim that DHS interviewed the real creators of Bitcoin nearly 16 years after its release, could send shockwaves through the crypto world, with some fearing that unmasking Nakamoto might threaten Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos. This isn’t the first time individuals have been publicly named as Nakamoto. In October 2024, a documentary controversially claimed Canadian programmer Peter Todd was the mastermind behind Bitcoin. Todd later denied the allegations and reportedly went into hiding due to security concerns. Elsewhere, on February 15, an editor-in-chief proposed that Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey was the real Satoshi Nakamoto, offering an extensive timeline of events and coincidences to support his theory.

Murphy believes that the government may be holding key information that could significantly impact the crypto world. If the DHS does know who Satoshi is, it could have far-reaching implications, from legal cases to financial regulations. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The government could claim that the information is classified or tied to national security, making it difficult for Murphy to obtain the documents he seeks. Despite these obstacles, Murphy is determined to push for transparency. He has made a name for himself defending crypto companies and speaking out against government overreach. In a post on social media, Murphy stated, “If DHS has information about who created Bitcoin, the public has a right to know. It’s time to pull back the curtain.” This bold move by Murphy aims to shed light on one of the most enduring mysteries in the world of cryptocurrency, potentially altering the landscape of digital finance as we know it.