Craig Wright, a controversial figure in the cryptocurrency world, has once again made headlines by failing to attend his contempt of court hearing in London today. Citing a “lack of means for travel,” Wright will likely face arrest and possible imprisonment as a result of his absence.
There was much anticipation surrounding whether Wright would appear at the London Royal Courts of Justice to address the hearing brought by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). Last year, Mr. Justice Mellor had ordered Wright to attend in person, dismissing his arguments for not doing so as unjustified.
The judge remarked, “It is difficult to ignore the conclusion suggested by COPA that his true motivation is to avoid the consequences of his contempt (if proven).” Wright had attempted to use his autism and holiday plans as reasons for not attending the hearing.
COPA alleges that Wright violated court injunctions by initiating a lawsuit against Jack Dorsey’s Square Up and BTC Core, seeking £900 billion in damages. The High Court hearing today was closely monitored by BitMEX Research, Bitnorbert, and patent attorney David Pearce. Despite COPA’s offer to cover Wright’s travel expenses, he declined the assistance and reportedly demanded £240,000, citing lost business opportunities due to COPA’s actions.
In response, COPA’s legal representative, Jonathan Hough from Bird & Bird, asserted that Wright’s absence was deliberate and aimed at evading accountability. Hough recommended a two-year custodial sentence for Wright.
As the case continues to unfold, we will provide updates on this developing story. Stay tuned for more information on Craig Wright’s legal troubles in the cryptocurrency world.