Man named by Newsweek issues denial on bitcoin claim

Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, the man identified by Newsweek magazine as the founder of bitcoin, has hired a lawyer and issued a written statement early Monday denying any involvement with the digital currency.

"I did not create, invent or otherwise work on bitcoin," Nakamoto said. "I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report."


The statement was published through his lawyer, Ethan D. Kirschner. Newsweek, which has vigorously defended its reporting, could not immediately be reached for comment.


"This firm has been retained by Dorian S. Nakamoto, the subject of the recent Newsweek cover story on bitcoin," said Kirschner, an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles. "He has issued the attached prepared statement. No further comment will be made by Nakamoto or the firm."

Nakamoto, 64, of Temple City, Calif., said he heard the term bitcoin from his son only in February after the Newsweek reporter, Leah McGrath Goodman, contacted the son about her article.


After not publishing a print edition for more than a year, Newsweek, under new ownership, featured an article on its cover earlier this month reporting that it had uncovered the mysterious founder of the digital currency. Within hours of publication, the story was cast into doubt. Nakamoto, a reclusive train collector, gave a two-hour interview to The Associated Press saying that the account was incorrect.


Newsweek's editor in chief, Jim Impoco, defended the story immediately after its publication. "We are absolutely standing by this," he said in a phone interview at the time. "It was an exhaustive investigation."


In the statement, which was earlier reported by Felix Salmon of Reuters on his Twitter feed, Nakamoto discussed his work experience, explaining that while he had technology skills, he had no involvement with bitcoin.


"My background is in engineering," he said. "I also have the ability to program. My most recent job was as an electrical engineer troubleshooting air traffic control equipment for the F.A.A. I have no knowledge of nor have I ever worked on cryptography, peer-to-peer systems, or alternative currencies."


In his statement, Nakamoto said he had not had a steady job for a decade, and tried to fill in a gap in his resume that Newsweek had suggested was the period during which he invented Bitcoin.


"I have not been able to find steady work as an engineer or programmer for 10 years," he said. "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."


He then blamed Newsweek for his difficulty in finding a job.

"My prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek's article," he said. "Newsweek's false 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 offer my sincerest thanks to those people in the United States and around the world who have offered me their support. I have retained legal counsel. This will be our last public statement on this matter. I ask that you now respect our privacy."