Bitcoin
A 45-year-old Australian businessman reveals himself as the founder of Bitcoin iStock

An Australian businessman has revealed that he is the one behind virtual currency Bitcoin. Craig Wright, 45, has submitted technical evidence to back his claim, ending years of speculation on who the founder of the digital currency really is.

Wright unmasked himself and provided information about him creating the currency through a blog post on 2 May. This has been verified by prominent members actively involved in the virtual cash system.

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Offering his cryptographic key as proof, the Australian divulged evidence to select media outlets including the BBC. The creator of Bitcoin has so far been referred to by the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Wright was earlier identified as the founder of Bitcoin by Gizmodo and Wired, but this was questioned. Other people have also been identified as Satoshi Nakamoto in the past.

"I have been staring at my screen for hours, but I cannot summon the words to express the depth of my gratitude to those that have supported the Bitcoin project from its inception – too many names to [the] list," Wright writes in his blog. He adds he would disclose more information to substantiate his claims.

Cryptographer Hal Finney and Jon Matonis, who is a founding director of the Bitcoin Foundation, sounded optimistic that Wright could possibly be truthful about his assertions.

Matonis said Wright "had the opportunity to review the relevant data along three distinct lines: cryptographic, social, and technical. It is my firm belief that Craig Wright satisfies all three categories". Yet, questions have been raised whether this is the true identity of Nakamoto.

In his post, Wright, however, concludes: "Be assured, just as you have worked, I have not been idle during these many years. Since those early days, after distancing myself from the public persona that was Satoshi, I have poured every measure of myself into research. I have been silent, but I have not been absent. I have been engaged with an exceptional group and look forward to sharing our remarkable work when they are ready. Satoshi is dead. But this is only the beginning."