The following are questions and answers at a press conference (conducted in Japanese) by Mark Karpeles, the head of MtGox, after the first hearing of his embezzlement trial in Tokyo.

[Getty]

 

Q: How has your life been after getting arrested?

 

A: My life somehow changed after the bankruptcy of MtGox. After I was granted bail, I regained my job as an IT engineer and lead a normal life with everybody's support around me. I will try to do my best for my trial and look into the lost bitcoins.

 

Q: What do you think about the current situation surrounding bitcoins?

 

A: The value of bitcoins has soared up, prevailing in many shops. I thought current movements would have a positive effect. But, I am not sure about the current technologies related with bitcoins abroad.

 

Q: Every one blames you for the failure of MtGox, what are your views on that?

 

A: Earlier it was hard for me to accept the claim, but I realized it will not be of any use however much I explain. What I can do most for bitcoin users is to find where the stolen bitcoins are.

 

Q: What efforts do you think could have been made to avoid the bankruptcy?

 

A: Better technology could have avoided it. There are much better technologies now. Employing 20 or 50 bitcoin experts was one way but there were not so many people who were using bitcoins at that time.

CEO of bitcoin exchange MtGox denies embezzlement