Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto—the man who invented bitcoin, according to Newsweek—has issued a statement through his lawyer denying any involvement whatsoever in the digital crypto-currency, and claims that he has been under such severe financial pressure that he was forced to cut off his internet access last year.
“I am writing this statement to clear my name,” Nakamoto said in a message provided by his lawyer, Ethan Kirschner, to Reuters blogger Felix Salmon. “I did not create, invent, or otherwise work on Bitcoin. I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report.”
Nakamoto, whose background is in electrical engineering and computer programing, said he has not been able to find work in either field in the last 10 years. “I discontinued my internet service in 2013 due to severe financial distress,” he said in the statement. “My prospects for gainful employment have been harmed because of Newsweek’s article.”
Kirschner confirmed to Quartz that he has been retained by Nakamoto, but declined to comment further.