'Weak' Craig Wright backs out of Bitcoin claim
Craig Wright, the main claiming to be Bitcoin inventor Satoshi Nakamoto has started to backpedal on his claim. There has long been speculation about the identity of the person behind the cryptocurrency, and earlier this week Wright stepped up to the plate.
After doubts had been expressed about his claim to the Bitcoin crown Wright had promised to reveal "extraordinary evidence" as proof. But now he has had a change of heart. He's not saying -- yet -- that he's not Satoshi Nakamoto, but that he does "not have the courage" to publish the proof so many people are demanding to see.
The world of technology was not slow to express concerns about Wright's assertion that he was the secretive Bitcoin inventor. That said, some prominent members of the Bitcoin community stood behind him for a while. Since stepping forward, Wright has been fairly quiet, and has now taken the step of deleting his personal blog and replacing it with an open letter.
In the post on his website, he wrote:
I’m Sorry
I believed that I could do this. I believed that I could put the years of anonymity and hiding behind me. But, as the events of this week unfolded and I prepared to publish the proof of access to the earliest keys, I broke. I do not have the courage. I cannot.
When the rumors began, my qualifications and character were attacked. When those allegations were proven false, new allegations have already begun. I know now that I am not strong enough for this.
I know that this weakness will cause great damage to those that have supported me, and particularly to Jon Matonis and Gavin Andresen. I can only hope that their honour and credibility is not irreparably tainted by my actions. They were not deceived, but I know that the world will never believe that now. I can only say I’m sorry.
And goodbye.
Thus far no one else has stepped forward to say they are Satoshi Nakamoto. It could be Wright, or it could be someone else entirely. For now, at least, the mystery endures.
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