‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Challenges US Tax Evasion Charges

Roger Ver, a number one cryptocurrency advocate and early Bitcoin investor, has urged a US courtroom to dismiss tax evasion fees filed in opposition to him. He’s greatest identified colloquially as ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ amongst his 745,000 followers on X (previously Twitter).

Ver, 45, was arrested in February whereas attending a crypto convention in Barcelona. He’s accused of evading greater than $48 million in taxes and submitting a false tax return.

Bitcoin Jesus claims his arrest was politically pushed

The fees stem from the sale of cryptocurrencies price $240 million and an “exit tax” associated to Ver’s renunciation of U.S. citizenship in 2014. Prosecutors are in search of his extradition from Spain, the place he awaits a courtroom ruling.

Based on Bloomberg stories, Ver’s authorized staff dismissed the fees as politically motivated. They declare it represents the Biden administration’s heavy-handed method to cryptocurrency enforcement.

His legal professionals argue the fees are a part of a broader effort to control the trade via enforcement relatively than clear coverage measures.

In the meantime, the case has attracted widespread consideration within the cryptocurrency trade. Critics accuse the US authorities of focusing on high-profile crypto figures to set an instance.

“His crime? He did not commit any, however that does not matter within the age of American justice. What Roger did was promote a revolutionary decentralizing expertise that radically empowers residents,” wrote widespread writer Bret Weinstein on X (previously Twitter)

Ver was an outspoken critic of US crypto regulation. He has lengthy advocated decentralized monetary methods and the adoption of Bitcoin as a worldwide foreign money.

Nevertheless, the federal government has efficiently prosecuted a number of high-profile crypto figures over the previous yr. Earlier as we speak, former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky pleaded responsible to a number of fraud fees.

The federal government additionally efficiently prosecuted all main branches of Sam Bankman-Fried linked to the collapse of the FTX.

A legacy in Bitcoin

Nicknamed “Bitcoin Jesus,” Ver was one of many first to advertise Bitcoin when its worth was lower than $1. He typically gave away BTC to followers to encourage adoption. He has additionally invested in main crypto corporations reminiscent of Ripple Labs, BitPay and Kraken.

Roger Ver promotes Bitcoin in 2013. Supply: Bitcoin Journal

Born within the US, Ver moved to Japan in 2006 and have become a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2014 after renouncing his US citizenship.

His arrest by Spanish authorities earlier this yr has reignited debates over US cryptocurrency rules and the remedy of trade pioneers. Nevertheless, this is not his first authorized battle. Ver has beforehand confronted a number of lawsuits from crypto corporations, together with Genesis and ConFLEX.