LONDON: Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright on Monday identified himself as the creator of Bitcoin following years of speculation about who invented the pioneering digital currency.

Wright was named by three media outlets — the BBC, The Economist and GQ magazine — and posted a blog on his website.

However, in a defiant interview with the BBC, the 45-year-old insisted that he would have preferred his identity to remain secret, adding he was not seeking cash or honours.

“I don’t want money, I don’t want fame, I don’t want adoration, I just want to be left alone,” Wright told the British broadcaster. “If anyone puts me up for awards or anything like that, I will never, ever accept a cent. Ever.”

He added that he had not taken the decision to identify himself, saying: “I had people decide this matter for me.”

Some raised questions about his claim, suggesting more work should be done to verify it.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd , 2016