Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder who was recently pardoned by Donald Trump, is now calling on the US president to intervene on behalf of Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus.” Ver faces serious tax evasion charges in the US, and could face a possible prison sentence of decades. The appeal highlights the complexities of the crypto world, the debates surrounding digital asset taxation, and the potential role of political figures in controversial court cases. This article examines Roger Ver’s situation, the arguments put forward in his defense, and the chances of Ulbricht’s appeal succeeding.
Ross Ulbricht Supports Roger Ver: A Call for Clemency
In a statement published on X on February 20, Ross Ulbricht, who received a presidential pardon after serving 12 years in prison for founding Silk Road, expressed his support for Roger Ver. Ulbricht emphasizes that Ver supported him during his imprisonment and that he now wants to return the favor. He believes that no one should spend the rest of their life in prison for tax issues and suggests that Ver be allowed to pay the taxes owed (if necessary) and close the case. This stance is all the more significant given that it comes from a controversial figure in the crypto world, recently freed thanks to Donald Trump’s intervention.
Ulbricht’s call comes at a time when Roger Ver has also sought help from Donald Trump. In a video posted to X on January 26, Ver asked Trump for help, saying that only his “commitment to justice” could save him. Ver, who renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014 to become a Japanese citizen, is accused of filing a false exit tax return and concealing significant capital gains from the sale of Bitcoin, which allegedly resulted in a tax shortfall of $48 million.
Roger Ver faces US justice: tax evasion and challenging laws
Roger Ver was arrested in Spain last April on criminal charges in the United States. He is accused of tax evasion, filing false tax returns and fraud. US authorities are seeking his extradition to the United States, where he faces a maximum sentence of 109 years in prison. The case concerns transactions made in 2017, in which Ver allegedly concealed 131,000 Bitcoins, worth approximately $240 million at the time, resulting in a tax deficit of $48 million.
Ver disputes these charges and claims that there were obstacles to submitting a proper exit tax claim, including the lack of liquid markets for Bitcoin at the time. He sought to have the case dismissed last December, arguing that US exit tax laws were unconstitutional and vague. The case highlights the complexities of taxing cryptocurrencies and the challenges faced by individuals who renounced their U.S. citizenship after accumulating digital assets.
