Roger Ver, one of the earliest and most vocal investors in Bitcoin, is in advanced negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve the allegations against him. According to reports based on court documents, Ver is seeking a plea deal in the Roger Ver tax evasion case. This development comes months after his arrest in Spain on charges alleging nearly $50 million in tax evasion.
The charges against Ver, nicknamed “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early evangelism of the cryptocurrency, are serious and complex. The formal indictment, filed by a federal grand jury, includes three counts of mail fraud, two counts of tax evasion, and three counts of filing false tax returns.
The Department of Justice alleges that Ver hid crucial information from his legal and tax advisors. This action resulted in an undervaluation of his cryptocurrency assets and, consequently, the non-payment of at least $48 million in taxes. It all began after he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014, an act that legally required him to declare capital gains on his worldwide assets.
The core of the dispute dates back to Ver’s expatriation. Upon renouncing his citizenship, he was required to pay an “exit tax” on the capital gains from his assets, which included a massive amount of Bitcoin. The indictment claims that Ver provided misleading information about his actual cryptocurrency holdings. Specifically, it is alleged that he and his two companies, MemoryDealers and Agilestar, owned approximately 131,000 BTC but declared a significantly smaller amount. Years later, in 2017, Ver allegedly sold tens of thousands of these bitcoins for about $240 million, failing to report these gains to the IRS, even though his companies were still U.S. corporations.
The End of a Long Legal Dispute?
This case is emblematic and highlights the growing attention of tax authorities on digital assets. It demonstrates that renouncing citizenship does not exempt one from U.S. tax obligations, especially if corporate ties are maintained. For the crypto industry, the outcome of the Roger Ver tax evasion case could set an important precedent. It reinforces the message that the era of regulatory ambiguity is ending and that tax compliance is unavoidable, regardless of the complexity of the assets or the investor’s citizenship status.
The potential agreement suggests that Ver may be seeking a resolution to avoid a lengthy trial and possible extradition to the United States. Although the exact terms of the deal have not yet been made public, it is speculated that it would involve the payment of a substantial sum, likely close to the $48 million owed.
The final resolution of this case will be closely watched by the entire cryptocurrency community. Meanwhile, the future of one of the most controversial and pioneering figures in the crypto ecosystem hangs in the balance, awaiting a judicial decision that could redefine the rules of the game for many.
