John Doe 33, the first wallet holder to contest the Noah Doe Bitcoin lawsuit, filed a motion to dismiss on June 30 in New York Supreme Court. The filing challenges a $293 billion lawsuit filed March 11, 2026, that seeks ownership of approximately 39,069 dormant Bitcoin addresses holding an estimated 3.8 million BTC. Two days after the filing, 500 BTC moved from wallet No. 881 on July 2, further undermining the plaintiffs' abandonment theory. Justice Kathy J. King scheduled oral arguments for July 14 at 10:30 a.m. to address multiple pending motions including the motion to dismiss.
Noah Doe Files $293 Billion Bitcoin Ownership Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed March 11, 2026, in the New York Supreme Court, seeks a declaratory judgment awarding ownership of approximately 39,069 dormant Bitcoin addresses collectively holding an estimated 3.8 million BTC. The plaintiffs, identified only as Noah Doe along with Wyoming entities ABC Company and XYZ Company, argue they became entitled to the wallets after allegedly identifying dormant addresses with proprietary software, delivering lists of those addresses to the NYPD as found property, and invoking New York's Personal Property Law Article 7-B governing lost property.
The wallet list includes addresses publicly associated with the 2011 Mt Gox hack, the Counterparty burn address, and more than 21,000 addresses researchers have linked to the Patoshi mining pattern widely attributed to Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto. Even if the plaintiffs ultimately prevailed, a favorable judgment would not allow them to spend any Bitcoin because only the corresponding private keys authorize transactions on the Bitcoin network.
Court Stays Proceedings After Attorney Challenges Legal Theory
The case appeared headed toward a possible default judgment until June 5, when Justice Kathy J. King stayed further proceedings after New York attorney Ian R. Cohen submitted a proposed amicus curiae brief challenging the plaintiffs' legal theory. Cohen argued that New York's lost-and-found statute governs tangible property, not blockchain addresses, and maintained that prolonged inactivity does not constitute legal abandonment. He also questioned whether the plaintiffs properly served thousands of wallet owners through OP_RETURN messages embedded in Bitcoin transactions and raised broader jurisdictional concerns.
The stay remains in place while the court considers multiple pending motions. On June 18, plaintiffs' counsel asked the court to vacate or narrow the stay, arguing the litigation should continue despite the amicus filing.
John Doe 33 Files Motion to Dismiss on June 30
The litigation took another significant turn on June 30 when a pseudonymous respondent identifying himself as "John Doe 33" filed both a notice of appearance and a motion to dismiss, becoming the first actual wallet holder to contest the lawsuit. In the filing, John Doe 33 states he is "a natural person and a real human being," not a Bitcoin address, digital wallet or line of source code. He further explains that the pseudonym is intended to protect his identity because of the well-known security risks associated with publicly identified cryptocurrency holders, while reserving all legal defenses against the action.
His appearance materially changes the posture of the case. Until now, the plaintiffs largely faced no direct opposition from named wallet owners, leaving open the possibility that much of the litigation could proceed without actual respondents participating.
500 BTC Moves From Wallet No. 881 on July 2
Just two days after the filing, another defendant's wallet became active onchain. On July 2, 2026, 500 BTC moved from address 1HnVSXAMkCUHD8EeRxnNXXB6B12oQ9URpV, identified as wallet No. 881 in the Noah Doe lawsuit. Blockchain records show the transaction transferred the entire balance essentially after paying approximately 57,000 satoshis in network fees.
![Bitcoin wallet transaction showing 500 BTC movement from address No. 881]()
The transfer joins a growing list of wallets named in the complaint that have moved funds since the litigation began attracting public attention. Previous activity included approximately 35.55 BTC from a 2011-era wallet on June 2, 47.26 BTC on June 6, roughly 1,878 BTC from a 2019 wallet on June 7, and approximately 199.216 BTC from a 2012-era address on June 19. Each additional transaction presents another challenge to the plaintiffs' central contention that the wallets were abandoned by their owners.
Justice King Schedules July 14 Hearing for Oral Arguments
The next major milestone comes on July 14, 2026, when oral arguments are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. before Justice Kathy J. King at New York County Supreme Court. The hearing is expected to address Cohen's amicus application, the plaintiffs' request to modify or lift the stay, and the newly filed motion to dismiss by John Doe 33, among other procedural issues.
FAQ
What did John Doe 33 file on June 30 in the Noah Doe Bitcoin lawsuit?
John Doe 33 filed both a notice of appearance and a motion to dismiss on June 30, becoming the first actual wallet holder to contest the lawsuit. In the filing, John Doe 33 states he is "a natural person and a real human being," not a Bitcoin address, digital wallet or line of source code.
How much Bitcoin moved from wallet No. 881 after John Doe 33's filing?
500 BTC moved from address 1HnVSXAMkCUHD8EeRxnNXXB6B12oQ9URpV, identified as wallet No. 881 in the Noah Doe lawsuit, on July 2, 2026. Blockchain records show the transaction transferred the entire balance after paying approximately 57,000 satoshis in network fees.
When is the next court hearing scheduled for the Noah Doe Bitcoin lawsuit?
Oral arguments are scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. before Justice Kathy J. King at New York County Supreme Court. The hearing is expected to address Cohen's amicus application, the plaintiffs' request to modify or lift the stay, and the newly filed motion to dismiss by John Doe 33.
