Originally published on: December 11, 2024
Roger Ver, famously known as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy of cryptocurrency, is pushing back against charges brought against him by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Recently arrested in Spain, Ver, who gave up his US citizenship in 2014, is facing extradition on accusations of tax evasion, mail fraud, and filing false tax returns.
Allegations claim that Ver did not accurately report his assets and concealed ownership of approximately 131,000 Bitcoins (BTC). However, he refuted these claims in an interview with Tucker Carlson, emphasizing that he was not a US citizen or resident at the time the accusations were made.
According to the DOJ, Ver failed to report substantial capital gains from Bitcoin transactions and undervalued the assets of two companies when he renounced his citizenship. Prosecutors assert that he hid 131,000 BTC, amounting to almost $240 million during the 2017 sale, resulting in a $48 million tax deficit.
Ver’s defense team argues that the charges are outdated and originate from unclear cryptocurrency tax laws. They also claim that US prosecutors violated legal protections and misused confidential communications in handling the case.
In his conversation with Carlson, Ver contended that the charges were not about taxes, but rather a reaction to his prominent role in promoting cryptocurrencies, which challenges government authority over monetary systems.
He further alleged that US intelligence agencies orchestrated efforts to hinder Bitcoin’s original mission of decentralization, linking his indictment to the release of his recent book exposing governmental interference in the crypto industry.
Recently, Ver sought dismissal of the US tax evasion charges, citing their unconstitutionality and raising concerns about the ambiguity of the IRS exit tax pertaining to digital assets like Bitcoin.
The IRS exit tax mandates that US citizens settle all tax obligations before renouncing their citizenship, effectively leaving the country’s tax system.
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