Roger Ver, the early Bitcoin promoter dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus” for his evangelizing of the cryptocurrency, has agreed to a tentative settlement with the Department of Justice to resolve criminal tax fraud charges stemming from his massive holdings.
The deal, reported by The New York Times, calls for Ver to pay $48 million in back taxes and penalties tied to unreported capital gains from Bitcoin. This arrangement could let him avoid prison time through a deferred-prosecution agreement, where charges might be dropped if he complies with terms.
Ver faced indictment in April 2024 for mail fraud and tax evasion after authorities claimed he dodged taxes on distributions from about 131,000 Bitcoin held by him and his companies, MemoryDealers and Agilestar. He had renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, gaining citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, but the IRS still demanded reports on certain assets.
“Even though Ver was not then a US citizen, he was still legally required to report to the IRS and pay tax on certain distributions.”
Spanish officials arrested Ver that spring, though he quickly posted bail and has fought extradition while challenging the charges in U.S. court as unconstitutional.
The settlement emerges as the Trump administration eases enforcement on digital assets, marking a shift from prior aggressive pursuits. Ver’s connections run deep: he enlisted lawyers with past ties to President Trump and shelled out $600,000 to political operative Roger Stone to push for tax law reforms.
Some see the original prosecution as payback for Ver’s outspoken Bitcoin advocacy, which challenged traditional financial systems. His website carries an open letter labeling the case a “retaliatory action” for promoting cryptocurrency.
After Trump’s 2024 victory, calls mounted for a presidential pardon. Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, pardoned by Trump himself, weighed in.
“No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes,” he said. “Let him pay the tax (if any) and be done with it.”
Ver’s X account directs followers to a pardon petition, amplifying suspicions that the charges aimed to silence a key voice in the crypto world.
As of now, the agreement awaits final court approval and hasn’t hit the public docket in California’s Central District. If it holds, Ver walks free after payment, a win for those wary of government overreach into personal wealth and innovation. This could signal broader leniency toward crypto pioneers who’ve long battled bureaucratic hurdles.