Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, the man Newsweek pinned as the creator of Bitcoin, has retained legal counsel in an attempt to clear his name. In a pointed statement issued early Monday, Nakamoto again emphatically denied any connection to the cryptocurrency. "I did not create, invent, or otherwise work on Bitcoin," he said. "I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report."

In his letter — Nakamoto's "final public statement" on the matter — he reiterates that he'd never even heard of Bitcoin until Newsweek reporter Leah McGrath Goodman began questioning his son in her attempt to reveal the true identity of "Satoshi Nakamoto." The March 6th cover story also highlighted Nakamoto's engineering background as evidence that he founded the virtual currency. Nakamoto freely admits he possesses "the ability to program," but insists he's unfamiliar with cryptography, peer to peer systems, and alternative currencies. Whoever invented Bitcoin would need a masterful understanding of all three.

The denial also looks to discredit another point of Newsweek's "proof": a long gap in Nakamoto's professional work history. Here too, he's forced to make some tough admissions, saying, "I have not been able to find steady work as an engineer or programmer for ten years." That's led Nakamoto to find work as a laborer, polltaker, and substitute teacher. Apparently none of those have brought him sufficient income; Nakamoto says he had to cancel his home internet service in 2013 due to "severe financial distress." Whoever invented Bitcoin is believed to be sitting on a stockpile worth millions.

Nakamoto claims Newsweek's report has directly led to "a great deal of confusion and stress" for his entire family. The media relentlessly hounded Nakamoto after the story first ran, even pursuing him in an impromptu car chase through Los Angeles. But there's been some good to go along with all the bad; Nakamoto points to the widespread support he's received across the internet as a positive thing that's come from the ordeal. "I offer my sincerest thanks to those people in the United States and around the world who have offered me their support." Newsweek continues to stand by its original story, though it hasn't yet responded to Nakamoto's latest statement. Now the question turns to whether the man labeled "Bitcoin's face" intends to sue the publication that he says turned his life upside down.