Roger Ver’s Tax Case Sparks Outrage, Trump and Crypto Supporters Demand Dismissal

The prosecution of Roger Ver, a prominent early Bitcoin investor known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with influential voices accusing the U.S. government of targeting him for his cryptocurrency advocacy. Ver faces charges of tax evasion stemming from his 2014 renunciation of U.S. citizenship and alleged failure to pay an estimated $48 million in taxes.

Arrested in Spain in April 2024, Ver is currently awaiting extradition to the United States and is suing Spain in attempt to block extradition, meanwhile his legal team continues to fight to dismiss the case, arguing it represents an unconstitutional overreach by the Biden administration. The case has drawn significant attention from Trump supporters, libertarians, and crypto enthusiasts, who see it as a politically motivated attack on innovation and financial freedom.

A Case of Lawfare or Legitimate Prosecution?

Roger Ver’s legal troubles began when he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, obtaining citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis after moving to Japan in 2006. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that Ver undervalued his Bitcoin holdings, approximately 131,000 BTC, and misrepresented the value of his companies to avoid a substantial “exit tax” imposed on high-net-worth individuals leaving the U.S. Additionally, prosecutors claim that in 2017, Ver sold $240 million worth of Bitcoin without reporting the capital gains, resulting in a $48 million tax liability. If convicted, Ver faces up to 109 years in prison, a sentence critics argue is wildly disproportionate for tax-related charges.

Ver’s legal team, backed by firms like Steptoe LLP and Kimura London & White, contends that the charges are baseless and politically driven. They argue that Ver relied on professional legal and accounting advice to comply with tax obligations, particularly during a period when IRS guidance on cryptocurrency taxation was virtually nonexistent. Emails between Ver and his advisors, cited in court filings, show he sought third-party appraisals to value his Bitcoin holdings accurately, given the asset’s volatility and low liquidity in 2014. The defense also accuses prosecutors of misusing privileged attorney-client communications and withholding exculpatory evidence, violations they claim undermine the case’s legitimacy.

The case has become a lightning rod for critics of the Biden administration’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. Investigative journalist Laura Loomer, with 1.7 million followers on X, called the prosecution “clearly lawfare,” suggesting Ver was targeted for his pioneering role in crypto rather than any criminal act. She questioned the fairness of pursuing life imprisonment for alleged tax evasion while violent offenders often face lighter consequences.

Similarly, Rogan O’Handley, known as @DC_Draino with 2.2 million X followers, echoed Loomer’s sentiments, labeling the case a “Biden-era travesty” and urging President Donald Trump to drop the charges. The Libertarian Party also voiced support, framing Ver’s prosecution as a threat to financial sovereignty and a warning to the crypto community.

OG crypto advocate David Shares, a long-time supporter of Ver, pointed to a pattern of selective enforcement, noting Ver’s history of legal battles, including prior charges related to selling explosives on eBay in 2002. Shares argued that the DOJ’s actions reflect “persecution, not prosecution,” aimed at silencing a vocal critic of centralized financial control.

Ver himself has claimed the charges stem from his advocacy for Bitcoin’s decentralizing potential, which he believes threatens government authority. In a December 2024 interview with Tucker Carlson, Ver stated, “I wasn’t an American citizen or living in the U.S. at the time these claims were made,” accusing the government of retaliating against his activism.

With an October hearing scheduled on Ver’s motion to dismiss, the case’s outcome could set a precedent for how U.S. tax law treats digital assets and expatriation. Supporters see it as a symbolic battle over innovation and individual liberty, with Ver’s contributions to companies like Ripple, Kraken, and Bitcoin.com underscoring his role in shaping the crypto landscape.

Critics of the prosecution, including civil rights attorney Robert Barnes, argue that the case against Ver is a politically motivated attempt by the Biden administration to rewrite tax law through criminal prosecution, threatening the liberty of all Americans. Ver’s legal team has expressed optimism that a new administration might adopt a less aggressive stance toward cryptocurrency enforcement, possibly leading to a dismissal of the charges.

As the October hearing approaches, the case continues to galvanize Trump supporters and crypto advocates, who see it as a chance for the incoming administration to roll back what they call Biden’s “war on crypto.”