Crypto Lawyer Sues DHS, Claims It May Know Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity

In Brief:

Lawyer James Murphy filed a FOIA lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

He seeks records tied to a 2019 claim that a DHS agent interviewed Satoshi Nakamoto in California.

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On April 7, crypto lawyer James Murphy filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the agency may have knowledge of the true identity of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Murphy cites a 2019 statement from DHS agent Rana Saoud, who reportedly said a colleague interviewed Nakamoto in California while learning about Bitcoin's technical design. The lawsuit demands the release of all related documents—including transcripts, interview records, and other evidence.

“If the interview happened, there should be a paper trail,” Murphy said. He vowed to continue pursuing the case until a clear answer is revealed.

DHS has not commented on the matter. The claim has sparked debate across the crypto community, with many questioning whether the government has withheld critical details about Bitcoin’s origins.

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