Clarity over misinformation in recent publications.
Although the internet is an incredible tool for spreading facts and ideas around the world, it is also commonly used for misinformation and lies which spread just as quickly. Recently there have been a number of articles about Satoshi Island that have been factually incorrect, so we have provided this article to address these false statements.
The articles suggest the Satoshi Island Project was created by one man that owned an island who was looking for a way to sell or profit by attracting the crypto community. In truth, the project is the polar opposite. The project was created with a goal to build a home for the crypto community and after much research into suitable locations an island was found.
Background. One of the Satsohi Island team (Anthony) spoke with a journalist on the phone about the project and his involvement. Since the subsequent publication the false narrative that followed was altered even further from the truth by other journalists.
An extract from the transcript of Anthony’s phone interview:
Journalist: “How would you describe you if you were in the article. It would say Anthony Welch, blah, blah, blah, is now setting up this?”
Anthony: “Well, you don’t say I’m setting it up because I’m not. It’s a team thing and I’m not the primary team member. I’m the local guy. But how would you describe it? I’ve lived here for 12 years. I’m a naturalized Vanuatuan and I’m the local contact here.”
Regardless of Anthony clearly stating his level of involvement in the project, the journalist decided to go with a strong focus on Anthony as the creator or developer of Satoshi Island and that false narrative was picked up by others. However this is totally fabricated as in reality, Anthony was invited to join the team years after inception due to his intimate knowledge of the Island and local Vanuatu customs. Anthony is a team member but he is only involved in a minor capacity.
Here are a few of the many nonfactual claims published about Anthony and his involvement in Satoshi Island.
- Satoshi Island is not the plan of a retired property tycoon.
- Satoshi Island is not being developed by Anthony.
- Anthony did not fail to sell the island.
- Anthony did not decide to “unwind” previous marketing of the island as a wildlife nature reserve in favor of a crypto utopia.
- Anthony and partner are not trying to woo crypto investors to regulation-free island.
- Anthony did not put up the island for auction in 2022.
There are some other invented claims relating to Anthony that further illustrate how the journalists have invented information for their articles.
- Anthony is not married.
- There is no “the Welches”.
- The interview between Anthony & the journalist was not held over satellite link.
Satoshi Island has a large team and every person has an important part to play. Anthony remains a part of that team and we thank him for all his involvement and apologize for the misinformation spread about him.
Of the many false statements made, many reference “he” meaning, Anthony. Here are a few of them and clarification to why they are indeed false,
FALSE: He said the reserve was “voluntary” and he could “dismantle” at any time to allow for the building of the crypto city
Many journalists have latched onto the idea that the island is a nature reserve and that this could prohibit development.
- The island is a self designated Wildlife Conservation Reserve which prohibits hunting and fishing on the island and surrounding reef.
- It does not need to be “dismantled” as in order to “allow” for the building as the article suggests. Development is not effected by the reserve.
- No suggestion was ever made that it would be dismantled in order to allow development.
FALSE: They built a website describing the efforts to establish the wildlife reserve, which was deleted soon after the Guardian approached Welch for comment.
The article suggests there was a website deleted as a way to perhaps hide information.
- There was never a website built about establishing the wildlife reserve.
- No website was deleted after being approached for comment.
FALSE: Tranquility will soon be shattered by 21,000 cryptocurrency investors he is trying to convince to move to his island and form a regulation-free “crypto utopia”
The article follows the negative view of the author and misrepresents the way Satoshi Island is promoted.
- We have always been clear on the fact that population will be based on the accommodation available on the 2100 blocks of land and as such the claim that we are trying to convince 21,000 people to move to the island is false.
- Vanuatu is not regulation-free and we have never suggested that it is.
- The island is being designed in a way to best preserve tranquility and the suggestion it will be shattered is opinion without basis in truth.
FALSE: The island which currently has no mains electricity, water, phone or internet connection.
The author tries to suggest that the island is currently undeveloped and uninhabitable where as in reality it has the following.
- The island has its own power grid generated by solar energy.
- Running water, hot and cold.
- Phone service.
- High speed internet.
- A swimming pool.
- Luxury villas and communal areas.
FALSE: Successful applicants wanting to live on the island will be granted with a non-fungible token (NFT) granting them “Satoshi Island citizenship”. However, the small print details that they will also have to gain Vanuatu citizenship to live on the island.
The statement suggests that although we are giving Satoshi Island Citizenship NFTs away we have hidden in the small print that people also need Vanuatu Citizenship.
- Although you can buy a Vanuatu Citizenship, you do not need one to live on the island.
- Citizens of around 150 countries can visit Vanuatu (visa on arrival) for up to 6 months.
- There are also 10 year residence permits available for $7,500 USD.
- Shorter term residence permits are also available for under $1,000 USD.
Welch was unable to provide contact details for any current local residents.
Implying that Anthony was unwilling to provide contact details.
- At the time of the interview, Anthony was the only local resident on the island.
The above false statements were made by the journalist who had the opportunity to interview our team member. The following statements were created by journalists who read the initial article and subsequently further altered the narrative, creating increasingly obscure statements .
FALSE: Vanuatu was contacted by environmental activists to protsest the project.
No reports of this can be found and it seems to be totally fabricated. However if activists would like to protest the project they would be negatively effecting the lives of local people.
- They will be protesting against prosperity of the local people by taking away their current and future employment opportunities.
- They will be protesting against the local people benefiting from increased tourism.
- They will be protesting against the improvements to medical services and infrastructure in Santo.
- They will be protesting against the support Vanuatu receives from VAT paid for imports after years of reduced tax income due to covid.
- They will be protesting against the protection that the island wildlife will benefit from by having a permanent population which will eliminate poachers coming to remote parts of the island.
Satoshi Island is also being developed with sustainability in mind and designed to be carbon neutral. Only around 25% of the island is set aside for development and the entire island will be run on renewable energy. It is our hope that being the test case for having an entire city run this way will encourage other cities to follow suit.
FALSE: After wanting to sell their island for 12 million euros, a couple changes their minds and wants to create the first cryptocurrency paradise.
A very odd invention created by the journalist.
- There is no couple creating Satoshi Island
- There was no changing of minds that lead to Satoshi Island.
FALSE: This is in any case the dream of Anthony Welch and his wife Theresa.
Addressed already above but the narrative continues to be altered.
- Satoshi Island is not the dream of Anthony Welch and his wife Theresa.
- Anthony is not married.
FALSE: An island owned by its 21,000 inhabitants. Specifically, project managers plan to sell the island through non-fungal token (NFT), also guaranteeing Satoshi Island citizenship.
Continued alterations to the initial article publishing false information.
- The island is not owned by 21,000 inhabitants.
- There is no suggestion that there will be 21,000 inhabitants.
- Blocks of land are being sold, not the island itself.
- Land NFTs do not guarantee Satoshi Island Citizenship.
FALSE: Another important detail: obtaining Vanuatu nationality will be necessary to be able to reside on Satoshi Island. A costly operation since the latter cost $ 130,000 in gold.
A further fabrication from the original article with some strange additions.
- Vanuatu citizenship is not necessary to live on the island.
- Other options are available as detailed previously.
- People who do buy Vanuatu citizenship do not need to pay in gold.
Above is just a few of the many false statements made by journalists/authors who have altered the original incorrect article.
In Closing…
It is unfortunate that some journalists feel the need to stretch or fabricate the truth to fit their own views, rather than trying to find out the truth about subject matter before publishing. We welcome contact from all journalists in hopes to inform them on the facts surrounding Satoshi Island in order to eliminate misinformation being published in the future.
No matter the personal views of individuals, who may or may not have a negative view on the cryptocurrency industry, Satoshi Island remains a viable, and well thought out project. Working together with our community, we are designing a new type of sustainable society and we are looking forward to turning that vision into a reality.
On a lighter personal note…
The Satoshi Island team had a good giggle at some of the fabrications, especially the requirement to purchase Vanuatu citizenship in GOLD! 😆
Anthony’s personal favorite was that he had been married off 💍 to an unknown suitor, whom he is very much looking forward to meeting.💕
Denys loved the fact that the size of the team changed from a couple, to a trio to 5 all within a few paragraphs. 🤪
Below is a list of a few of the publications who published misinformation about Satoshi Island.
And a lot, lot, more!
