Originally published on: December 11, 2024
Roger Ver, the prominent figure known as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy of cryptocurrency, is challenging accusations made against him by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Having renounced his US citizenship in 2014, Ver was detained in Spain in April. US authorities are seeking his extradition over charges of tax evasion, mail fraud, and filing false tax returns.
Allegations suggest that Ver misrepresented his assets and failed to disclose ownership of approximately 131,000 Bitcoin (BTC). However, he refuted these claims during an interview with Tucker Carlson on Dec. 10.
“I was neither an American citizen nor residing in the US when these accusations were raised,” Ver asserted. He accused the US government of being disgruntled not about taxes, but about his defiant nature.
The DOJ states that Ver neglected to report substantial capital gains from Bitcoin transactions and understated the value of two companies upon renouncing his US citizenship in 2014. Prosecutors claim Ver concealed 131,000 BTC, valued at nearly $240 million during the 2017 sale, resulting in a $48 million tax deficit.
Ver’s legal team argues that the accusations are outdated and rooted in unclear cryptocurrency tax laws. They also claim that US prosecutors violated legal protections by misusing confidential communications.
In his conversation with Carlson, Ver emphasized that the charges are not related to tax matters but to his vocal support of cryptocurrencies, which he believes challenges government hegemony over monetary systems.
Moreover, he suggested that US intelligence agencies orchestrated a scheme to hinder BTC’s original aim of decentralization.
The cryptocurrency enthusiast also linked his indictment to the recent release of his book, revealing alleged government interference in the cryptocurrency sector.
On Dec. 3, Ver challenged the US tax evasion charges on constitutional grounds, asserting that the case relies on IRS laws that are ambiguous regarding digital assets like those under scrutiny.
The IRS exit tax mandates that US citizens fulfill all tax obligations before renouncing their citizenship and exiting the country’s taxation system.
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