Cryptocurrency pioneer Roger Ver, famously dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus,” has reportedly reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve serious legal issues stemming from unpaid taxes on his crypto investments.
$48 Million Tax Settlement Could Help Roger Ver Avoid Prison
According to a recent New York Times report, Ver’s legal team has negotiated a potential settlement that would require him to pay $48 million in taxes owed to the U.S. government. This move may help him avoid prison time following his April 2024 indictment on charges of mail fraud and tax evasion.
Ver, an early investor and vocal advocate for Bitcoin and later Bitcoin Cash, renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014 but is now under legal scrutiny over taxes tied to his crypto earnings. After being arrested in Spain earlier this year, Ver was released on bail while his attorneys challenge both the charges and the U.S. government’s request for extradition.
Ties to Trump Allies and Push for Presidential Pardon
The case has drawn further attention due to Ver’s reported political connections. He has hired lawyers with ties to Donald Trump’s administration and reportedly paid $600,000 to political strategist Roger Stone to lobby for changes in tax laws that would favor cryptocurrency holders.
Ver has also launched a petition for a presidential pardon, claiming that the charges against him are politically motivated and retaliatory—rooted in his outspoken advocacy for Bitcoin and decentralized finance.
This legal development comes during a period of increasing regulatory leniency toward digital assets, a trend that gained momentum during Trump’s time in office. However, Ver’s case highlights ongoing tensions between crypto entrepreneurs and regulatory authorities, especially around tax compliance.
For now, the crypto community watches closely as Ver’s legal team works to finalize the $48 million agreement and fend off extradition, which could set a precedent for how other international crypto figures are treated by U.S. law enforcement.
