An influential figure in the cryptocurrency community, Roger Ver, who gained prominence as an early Bitcoin advocate, is reportedly nearing a resolution regarding tax fraud charges lodged against him by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The New York Times revealed that a settlement proposal is being discussed, which would involve Ver paying approximately $48 million for alleged unpaid taxes.
Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” due to his enthusiastic promotion of Bitcoin, was indicted last April and subsequently arrested in Spain. The charges stemmed from claims that he failed to submit tax returns on substantial capital gains acquired from selling tens of thousands of bitcoins after renouncing his U.S. citizenship. Following the charges, Ver challenged his extradition to the U.S., filing a lawsuit earlier this summer.
As of now, the proposed settlement is unsettled and has yet to be submitted for approval by the federal judge presiding over the case. Currently, a court hearing is set for December 15, 2025. The DOJ’s Los Angeles office, which initiated the indictment against Ver, directed inquiries to its Washington, D.C. headquarters, though no immediate comments were provided from that office.
Ver has remained tight-lipped regarding the situation, telling the Times that he could not comment at this time. Additionally, in an effort to enlist support for his case, Ver has partnered with Roger Stone, a notable associate of former President Donald Trump, as part of his lobbying strategy. Stone’s involvement has been outlined in a registration he filed earlier this year.
The political landscape surrounding cryptocurrency has seen some movement as well, with Trump reportedly granting pardons to various figures in the crypto sector since resuming presidential duties. This includes individuals like Ross Ulbricht and Arthur Hayes, along with a pardon for Bitmex, which had previously admitted to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Furthermore, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of Binance, has expressed intentions for a presidential pardon after serving time related to compliance issues at his exchange.
This evolving situation underscores the increasing scrutiny and complexities faced by cryptocurrency advocates and operators within the legal framework in the United States, as regulatory and taxation issues become more pronounced.
