The man named by a US magazine as the creator of Bitcoin has denied anything to do with the digital currency, saying he first heard of it in February - and added that he doesn't even have internet access.
Last month, Newsweek named Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto as the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, but Nakamoto quickly denied anything to do with the digital currency.
Now, he's hired a lawyer, saying the article hurt his job prospects, stressing that he "unconditionally" denies founding Bitcoin.
"The first time I heard the term 'Bitcoin' was from my son in mid-February 2014. After being contacted by a reporter, my son called me and used the word, which I had never before heard," he said in a statement released by his lawyer, and reported by Reuters journalist Felix Salmon.
"Shortly thereafter, the reporter confronted me at my home. I called the police. I never consented to speak with the reporter," he added. "In an ensuing discussion with a reporter from the Associated Press, I called the technology 'bitcom'. I was still unfamiliar with the term."
Nakamoto said his background is in engineering, but he does have programming skills. He hasn't worked in either field for a decade, however, and was forced to cut his internet access last year "due to severe financial distress". He's also faced medical troubles.
"My prospects for gainful employment have been harmed because of Newsweek's article," he claimed.
He added that the "false report" in Newsweek caused "a great deal of confusion and stress" to himself, as well as his family, and he thanked people for their support.
Update: Newsweek released the following statement: "Newsweek has not received any statement or letter from either Mr. Nakamoto or his legal counsel. If and when we do, we will respond as necessary."
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
