Roger Ver Sues Spain to Block US Extradition in High Profile Bitcoin Tax Case

Roger Ver, a prominent figure in the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency world widely known to many simply as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his for early evangelism, has launched a legal battle against Spain to prevent his extradition to the United States, where he faces serious tax evasion charges. The early Bitcoin advocate, celebrated for his role in promoting the cryptocurrency’s adoption, filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in May 2025, arguing that Spain’s approval of his extradition violates his fundamental legal protections. The case, which centers on allegations of evading over $48 million in taxes from Bitcoin sales in 2014, highlights the complexities of cryptocurrency taxation and raises questions about international legal standards. Bloomberg reports that Ver’s legal team contends that the decision to extradite him to Los Angeles represents a denial of justice, particularly given the ambiguous tax regulations surrounding Bitcoin at the time.
Roger Ver was arrested by Spanish authorities in April 2024 on a U.S. warrant and has since been released on bail, confined to house arrest on the island of Mallorca, unable to leave the island. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accuses Ver of failing to report capital gains from selling $240 million worth of Bitcoin in 2014, the year he renounced his U.S. citizenship. Additionally, prosecutors allege that Ver filed a false exit tax return, a requirement for Americans with over $2 million in assets who expatriate. The potential consequences are severe, with Ver facing up to 109 years in prison if convicted on all counts, including charges of tax evasion, mail fraud, and filing false tax returns.
Legal Arguments and Crypto Community Response
Ver’s lawsuit hinges on the claim that Spain’s decision to approve his extradition disregards the legal uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrency taxation in the U.S. during 2014. His Spanish attorney, Jaime Campaner Munoz, argues that Spanish authorities failed to consider the lack of clear IRS guidelines on crypto assets at the time, which created “uncertainty and insecurity” for investors like Ver. Furthermore, Ver’s U.S. lawyer, David Schoen, asserts that Ver sought professional tax advice and followed it, demonstrating a lack of criminal intent. Schoen also alleges that prosecutors improperly interrogated one of Ver’s attorneys and ignored exculpatory evidence, further undermining the case’s legitimacy. The ECHR, based in Strasbourg, France, has confirmed receipt of Ver’s application, though it remains under review with no additional details provided.
The case has sparked significant debate within the crypto community, with prominent figures weighing in on Ver’s situation. Supporters, including Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump in January 2025, have called for the charges to be dropped, labeling them as politically motivated. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has similarly criticized the U.S. exit tax as “extreme,” arguing that Ver’s prosecution reflects broader regulatory overreach.
Ver’s legal team has also challenged the constitutionality of the U.S. exit tax, arguing that it violates the Apportionment Clause and Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In December 2024, Ver’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charges, calling the tax “impermissibly vague” and asserting that the case should not have been pursued criminally. The ongoing legal battle, coupled with Ver’s high profile status, has drawn attention to the broader challenges of applying traditional tax frameworks to decentralized cryptocurrencies. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled globally, particularly as governments grapple with regulating the evolving cryptocurrency sector.
Ver’s earlier efforts to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, including a reported $600,000 payment to Trump ally Roger Stone for lobbying, have not borne fruit, and Schoen confirmed that Ver is no longer pursuing this avenue. Instead, Ver’s focus has shifted to the ECHR, where his case could influence not only his fate but also the broader landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and international extradition practices. As the case progresses, it continues to highlight the tension between innovation, individual rights, and regulatory oversight in the digital asset space.