Once Bitten! A Bitcoin Podcast. Faketoshi Part 2. - Mark Hunter and Arthur Van pelt. #605
Apr 28, 2026
Arthur Van Pelt, investigative writer who digs into Bitcoin controversies, and Mark Hunter, author and podcaster who exposes the Craig Wright saga, discuss Wright’s alleged tax fraud in Australia and his PR play to pose as Satoshi. They trace backing from Calvin Ayre and Robert McGregor, staged signing sessions, the Wired/Gizmodo self-doxx, Tulip Trust tales, and courtroom revelations from Kleiman v. Wright.
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Satoshi Claim Started As A Bailout Strategy
- Craig Wright's Satoshi claim evolved as a financial lifeline rather than a genuine origin story.
- After tax-fraud schemes in Australia failed, Wright pivoted to claiming vast Bitcoin holdings to attract wealthy backers like Calvin Ayre and Robert McGregor.
Tax Rebate Scheme Using Fake Intercompany Deals
- Wright faked intercompany transactions and R&D claims to extract GST and R&D tax rebates from the Australian Tax Office.
- He invented purchases and supercomputer leases on paper, repeatedly claiming millions back in cash until the ATO investigation unraveled it.
Backers Were Chasing Patents And Paper Valuation
- Calvin Ayre and associates funded Wright because they saw commercial upside, not technical proof.
- They hoped a Satoshi reveal plus patent sales to big tech would justify massive valuations and returns despite weak technical vetting.
