- The FBI has responded to a FOIA request, stating it can “neither confirm nor deny” records on Satoshi Nakamoto
- The agency has classified Satoshi Nakamoto as a “third party individual,” a term often used for non-US citizens
- Journalist Dave Troy clarified that his request was not to uncover Satoshi’s identity but to know what records the FBI holds
The FBI has responded to a Freedom of Information request (FOIA) over any records pertaining to the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, but it doesn’t shed any light on the mystery. Investigative journalist Dave Troy submitted the request to the agency, which returned with a standard comment that it can “neither confirm nor deny” the existence of any records, given that the individual in question is a “third party individual,” which Troy says is the standard response for non-US citizens. Troy says that he wasn’t seeking answers on Satoshi’s identity, merely wanted to know what records are held about them.
Individual, Not a Group
One of the many theories surrounding Bitcoin’s emergence is that it was created by a US government agency (the Central Intelligence Agency is the most cited), which would appear, on the surface at least, to have been Troy’s starting point. Troy posted an X thread detailing what he had received from the FBI and why he had gone about it in the first place:
In his posts, Troy noted that the FBI’s response is particularly intriguing because it implies that the bureau considers Nakamoto to be an individual. “I submitted as a broad general subject request, with full context, so it is the bureau and not me that is asserting that this is an individual,” Troy tweeted. This assertion is significant, as it counters some theories suggesting Nakamoto could be a collective or institutional identity.
Unmasking Was “Not My Primary Question”
Troy clarified that his FOIA request was filed via the FBI’s “All other subjects” pathway, rather than the “Deceased Individuals” form, which further complicates the matter. The journalist noted that his aim was not to unmask Nakamoto but to discover what, if any, information the FBI might have on the creator of Bitcoin. “If that helps establish identity somehow, fine, but that’s not my primary question,” Troy explained.
The FBI’s standard response to FOIA requests concerning non-US persons typically neither confirms nor denies the existence of records. This has led some to speculate that the bureau might possess relevant information but is withholding it under the guise of protecting the privacy of non-citizens.
Troy has already taken steps to appeal the FBI’s response and has requested further clarification.
