Bitcoin Developer, Craig Wright's Home has Been Raided by Australian Police
Australian Police raided the home of Bitcoin founder Craig Wright back in December of 2015. Although the raid is, 'old news,' the story of Craig Write and Bitcoin are more popular than ever. He is believed to be the figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Wright has been identified as Satoshi Nakamoto in investigations by Gizmodo and Wired, based on leaked transcripts of legal interviews and files. Some people close to Wright say they they don't believe him to be the mysterious, 'Japanese' developer of the cryptocurrency, but both publications are convinced that Wright, is indeed, the founder of Bitcoin.
It was reported by "The Guardian," that more than 10 police personnel arrived at Wright's home in the Sydney suburb of 'Gordon' at about 1:30 pm back in December of 2015. The police said that although the searches at Wright's home in Gordon, and a business located in Ryde, Sydney were to "assist the Australian Taxation Office," they were not related to the digital currency.
The residential property is owned by Garry Hayres, who is based in Maroochydore, Queensland. Hayres said, "Wright and his wife Ramona Watts had leased the property in November 2012."
The authorities in Australia released no information on the case, other than to say, “The AFP can confirm it has conducted search warrants to assist the Australian Taxation Office at a residence in Gordon and a business premises in Ryde, Sydney. This matter is unrelated to recent media reporting regarding the digital currency bitcoin,” and one officer reportedly told Reuters that they were “clearing the house." An official for the Australian Tax Office also said, they could not confirm whether the meeting with the ATO and Wright had taken place due to “obligations around confidentiality under the law”.
Wright has also claimed that he was a 'consultant' for the Australian Federal Police, but Guardian Australia said that the AFP has not been able to verify this claim with any records.
The treatment of bitcoin for tax purposes in Australia has been the subject of considerable debate. The ATO ruled in December 2014 that cryptocurrency should be considered an asset for capital gains tax purposes.
Wright and his wife, were in the process of moving to London when the raid on their home and business were executed.
The following is a 3 part documentary on Wright and cryptocurrency development in Australia.
Records show that Wright is involved with several technology enterprises in Australia, but there hasn't been conclusive evidence that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, although Wired and Gizmodo are convinced. Gizmodo published transcripts in which his tax affairs and bitcoin holdings are discussed at length. In the interview, the person named as Craig Wright said: "I did my best to try and hide the fact that I’ve been running bitcoin since 2009, but I think it’s getting – most – most – by the end of this half the world is going to bloody know.”
Guardian Australia has been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the transcripts published by Gizmodo, or whether the transcript is an accurate reflection of the audio if the interview took place. It is also not clear whether the phrase “running” refers merely to the process of mining bitcoin using a computer.
Wright was described as a "Cold Fish" by his neighbor, and he said during the BBC interview above, that he will never be on camera from a television station again, and he seems to want little recognition or accolades for Bitcoin. Although he has done other talks and interviews. The neighbor also said, “Everybody talks on this street, but not with him. I don’t waste my time. He showed no interest, totally kept to himself.”
https://www.wired.com/2016/05/craig-wright-privately-proved-hes-bitcoins-creator/