Roger Ver, the “Jesus of Bitcoin,” could owe $48 million in taxes
- Roger Ver tries to reach a million-dollar settlement with the US courts
- Investor accused of cryptocurrency tax fraud
- Trump allies lobby for Ver
Roger Ver, nicknamed the "Bitcoin Jesus" for his early activism in defense of cryptocurrencies, is in negotiations with U.S. authorities to resolve tax fraud charges. The potential settlement, according to U.S. media reports, includes the payment of approximately $48 million in taxes.
The charges stem from the sale of tens of thousands of bitcoins in the digital asset's early years. Ver allegedly made substantial profits, but, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, he failed to file tax returns after renouncing his U.S. citizenship. He was detained in Spain and has since resisted extradition to the United States.
Sources close to the case indicate that the process is ongoing and that the agreement still needs to be validated by a federal judge. A hearing is scheduled for December 15, 2025, which could determine the next steps in the legal dispute.
While awaiting the legal developments, Ver has turned to political support. He hired Roger Stone, an ally of current US President Donald Trump, to act as a lobbyist in search of a solution. Stone's name appears in official lobbying records filed this year.
This gesture isn't isolated. Since the beginning of his new term, Trump has granted pardons to several figures linked to the cryptocurrency sector, including Ross Ulbricht, Arthur Hayes, and other Bitmex founders. The platform itself also benefited after admitting to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.
Another prominent figure involved in similar cases is Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, who also requested a presidential pardon after serving four months in prison related to the exchange's compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
Ver's case has reignited discussions about the legal limits on the activities of crypto pioneers, especially at a time when the US is increasing its scrutiny of taxation in the sector.
