UK Court Strikes Down Libel Case Against Bitcoin Cash Proponent Roger Ver

The Court of No Return: Dismissing Craig Wright’s Suit

In a significant turn of events, Roger Ver, the outspoken proponent of Bitcoin Cash and the CEO of Bitcoin.com, has emerged victorious in a recent legal battle. A High Court judge, Justice Matthew Nicklin, threw out a libel lawsuit filed by Craig Wright, who self-identifies as the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. This decision, announced on July 31, 2023, stemmed from Wright accusing Ver of labeling him a fraud—now that’s a bold claim that landed in the wrong courtroom.

Why Jurisdiction Matters

Justice Nicklin’s ruling focused heavily on jurisdiction, concluding that the English courts were not the right arena for this drama. He noted, “The Claimant has not satisfied me that England and Wales is clearly the most appropriate place to bring his action for defamation… The action will be struck out.” It turns out, allegations don’t pack quite the punch when they barely brush the borders of the claim territory.

Most of the Drama Happens in the U.S.

As the judge pointed out, only about 7% of the supposed defamatory publications took place in England and Wales, while the bulk of the matter apparently funneled through the U.S. Nicklin stated, “The evidence clearly demonstrates that the most substantial publication of the statements complained of is in the U.S.” So, next time you think of making a big legal claim, best make sure your audience is actually attending the show!

Too Vague to Keep Standing

But jurisdiction wasn’t the only reason behind the gavel’s final bang. Nicklin also expressed skepticism regarding the legitimacy of Wright’s claims of harm due to Ver’s comments, describing them as “weak” and filled with generalizations. The judge described his evidential foundation as “speculative” at best, which, let’s be honest, is no solid ground to stand on when fending off allegations.

The Broader Crypto Context

This ruling isn’t just a one-off—it’s part of a larger trend in the cryptocurrency world where legal jurisdictions are increasingly under scrutiny. Another prominent case involves the New York Attorney General going head-to-head with Tether over alleged financial misconduct. Here, the NYAG is insisting that Tether’s transactions violated state laws, while Tether’s defense is countering that they haven’t interacted with New York customers. It’s a classic legal tug-of-war, and as it unfolds, it raises important questions about how digital finance operates across state lines.

The New Norm for Crypto Litigation

As crypto continues its wild ride through the financial world, stakeholders must stay aware of jurisdictional anomalies that could affect their operations. Whether it’s allegations of defamation or regulatory hurdles, savvy crypto players will want to navigate these waters carefully. After all, courts may operate within physical boundaries, but digital currency knows no such limits.