Craig Wright suffered a significant legal setback today as the UK High Court examined penalties and injunctive measures in his case against the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA). Live updates from What The Finance on X detailed the proceedings, where Jonathan Hough KC argued forcefully for severe actions against Wright. Hough emphasized the damage caused by Wright's fraudulent claims and aggressive legal tactics against key figures in the crypto community.

Highlighting the chilling effect of Wright's actions on crypto innovation, Hough noted that several developers had withdrawn from projects due to fears of litigation. He underscored the necessity for substantial injunctive relief to prevent Wright from continuing to assert he is Satoshi Nakamoto and to protect the credibility of the crypto ecosystem.

Hough outlined Wright's previous legal pursuits against individuals like Hodlonaut and Peter McCormack, portraying them as vindictive attempts to harm those who questioned his identity. The judge reportedly showed sympathy towards these arguments, with Hough advocating for measures to halt Wright from perpetuating false claims and pursuing legal action based on them.

In a crowded courtroom, notable for the absence of Wright and his team members, Hough presented a compelling case for robust injunctions, including barring Wright from publicly claiming he is Satoshi Nakamoto and mandating the removal of such claims from the internet. Justice Mellor hinted at the possibility of severe penalties, potentially including custodial sentences, signaling a serious response to Wright's conduct.

The proceedings also addressed Wright's failure to provide a legal address for service, suggesting attempts to evade accountability. Hough called for criminal prosecution against Wright and Stephan Matthews for misrepresentations, supported by video evidence of Wright discussing penalties for perjury.

Despite arguments from Wright's legal team contesting COPA's requested relief as unnecessary, the judge's stance indicated that Wright's prolonged pattern of deception warranted a stringent judicial response. This case marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing controversy surrounding Bitcoin's creator.