John Doe 33 Files to Dismiss New York Lawsuit Over 39,069 Dormant Bitcoin Wallets
A pseudonymous defendant known as John Doe 33 has filed a motion to dismiss a New York lawsuit seeking legal title to 39,069 dormant Bitcoin wallets, arguing that cryptocurrency addresses are inanimate data and cannot be sued or served with legal papers. The filing requires a state court judge to formally address whether a Bitcoin address qualifies as a legal person capable of holding or abandoning property.
The lawsuit was initiated in March by a plaintiff identified as Noah Doe, who claimed the dormant wallets—many dating to 2011 and linked to Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto—were abandoned property. Doe valued the disputed assets at under $10 each to qualify for expedited proceedings under New York state law. While an earlier amicus curiae filing temporarily paused the litigation, John Doe 33's recent appearance marks the first time a real individual has formally entered the case as a respondent, clearing the way for cross-examination. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 14.
From the sources (5 posts)
@tftc21Someone is trying to claim Satoshi's coins through a New York courtroom, and they just got their first real challenger. An anonymous plaintiff "Noah Doe" filed a case in March claiming legal title over 39,069 dormant Bitcoin addresses hold
@tu_crypto_newsA legal challenge has formally begun in the case over ownership claims to Satoshi’s coins, with a real individual filing a notice of appearance to oppose ‘Noah Doe.’ The dispute centers on dormant 2011 bitcoin tied to an abandoned-property
@intangiblecoinsa person (“a real human being” not “any form of inanimate data” lol) has filed a notice of appearance in the abandoned property litigation where ‘Noah Doe’ is claiming title over Satoshi’s coins someone is stepping up to fight noah doe as
@tftc21A court can't move your bitcoin. But it can cloud the title. New York is trying to classify 39,069 dormant bitcoin addresses as "abandoned property." The first real holder just stepped up to fight it and his motion forces the court to co
@coinmarketcapLATEST: ⚡️ A pseudonymous defendant known as "John Doe 33" has filed to dismiss a New York lawsuit seeking ownership of 39,069 dormant Bitcoin wallets, arguing address strings can't be sued.