Prominent figures such as Vitalik Buterin, Ross Ulbricht, and Tucker Carlson are voicing their support for a presidential pardon for Roger Ver, widely known as Bitcoin Jesus.
Roger Ver, a key figure in Bitcoin’s early development, now faces up to 109 years in prison due to tax evasion charges involving $48 million in alleged unpaid taxes. Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, fearing prosecution, but his legal troubles intensified when he was detained in Spain in 2024. Given President Trump’s previous pardons, speculation abounds regarding Ver’s potential reprieve. Will he receive a pardon, or will his legal issues persist?
Support from Crypto Leaders
After President Trump’s favorable stance towards cryptocurrency, many industry leaders rallied behind him, contributing to his inauguration and attending various events to solidify their support.
Notably, Trump took significant steps to bolster the crypto sector, including creating favorable regulatory conditions. His administration dismissed investigations into major cryptocurrency firms like Ripple and Coinbase. Recently, Trump granted pardons to the co-founders of BitMEX over similar regulatory violations, raising questions about whether Ver might be next in line for clemency.
Ver, an advocate for financial freedom, was integral in the rise of cryptocurrencies, investing in companies like Kraken and Blockchain.com. He notably promoted Bitcoin Cash (BCH) for everyday transactions in 2017.
Many in the crypto community have since mobilized to support Ver. Ross Ulbricht, serving a life sentence for charges linked to the Silk Road, recently made a plea for Ver highlighting the disproportionate nature of his pending punishment.
Ver’s Background
Roger Ver, a libertarian activist from Silicon Valley, became politically active at a young age, expressing controversial views on government agencies. His early run-ins with the law included a conviction for selling unlicensed firecrackers, which he attributes to political motivations. After serving time, he moved abroad, eventually discovering Bitcoin and promoting it as a revolutionary tool for financial independence.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Ver became a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2014, citing relentless targeting by U.S. authorities. In 2024, he faced serious accusations of tax evasion and mail fraud, linked to a substantial supposed tax obligation stemming from his cryptocurrency earnings.
Prosecutors allege he failed to report taxes owed on significant Bitcoin holdings and provided misleading information to his legal advisors. Ver denies any wrongdoing, asserting his attempts to comply with evolving tax regulations and claiming the charges are politically motivated.
In a bid to contest the charges, Ver’s legal team has labeled the exit tax as unconstitutional, arguing it poses an undue burden for those like Ver, with considerable but illiquid assets. The confrontation continues as Ver seeks to clear his name.
Buterin has publicly criticized the notion of Ver facing heavy penalties for what many consider non-violent offenses, arguing that mistakes should be addressed with fines rather than prosecution.
Could a Pardon be on the Horizon?
With Trump’s track record of granting pardons to controversial figures, there’s growing anticipation regarding Ver’s fate. Following the pardon of Ross Ulbricht, calls for Ver’s clemency have gained momentum, with influential voices from the crypto space eager to lend their support.
However, potential obstacles emerged when Elon Musk indicated that Ver’s renouncement of U.S. citizenship might preclude him from receiving a pardon. This elicited a mixed response, as many argue that the decision to renounce citizenship was made under duress.
In the wake of recent pardons, many advocates are rallying for Ver’s release, hoping he will be recognized for his contributions rather than his legal troubles. Trump has yet to comment on Ver’s situation, leaving the community in suspense over whether the Bitcoin luminary might soon find relief from his legal battles.
