Roger Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy of the cryptocurrency, is reportedly on the verge of a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department concerning criminal tax fraud charges. According to recent reports from The New York Times, the proposed agreement would see Ver paying approximately $48 million in back taxes. If the court approves the deal, the Justice Department would drop the case contingent upon Ver adhering to the terms of a deferred-prosecution agreement.
The indictment against Ver, filed in 2024, accused him of tax evasion related to his substantial bitcoin holdings prior to his renunciation of U.S. citizenship in 2014. Ver was apprehended in Spain last year as U.S. authorities pursued his extradition. Should the settlement be finalized, it would represent a significant shift for Ver, a figure both prominent and controversial in the cryptocurrency world, and potentially indicate a new direction in how Washington is addressing digital assets.
The allegations against Ver detail that he allegedly provided false or misleading information to both a law firm and an appraiser, thereby obscuring the actual extent of his and his companies’ bitcoin ownership. This deception purportedly resulted in the submission of inaccurate tax returns that severely undervalued both his businesses and their respective bitcoin holdings. Reports indicate that by 2017, Ver’s companies still possessed around 70,000 bitcoins, which he later sold through cryptocurrency exchanges for an estimated total of $240 million.
Despite renouncing his citizenship, Ver was still obligated to report certain distributions to the IRS and fulfill tax liabilities. The indictment claims that his failure to report these resulted in a substantial financial detriment to the IRS, amounting to an estimated loss of $48 million. This potential resolution comes during a time when the Trump administration is moving away from a prolonged crackdown on cryptocurrency and digital asset transactions.
In his defense, Ver has drawn upon the political landscape shaped by Trump’s pro-bitcoin stance, reportedly paying $600,000 to longtime Trump associate Roger Stone and enlisting legal representation that includes lawyers linked to the former president, as well as a lobbying firm associated with GOP fundraiser Brian Ballard. Earlier this year, Ver made a public appeal to Trump for assistance, alleging that his case was driven by political motives and warning of a potential sentence of up to 100 years.
As of now, neither the Justice Department nor Ver has issued public comments regarding the reported settlement agreement. If approved, this development could serve to reshape the perception and regulation of digital assets in the U.S. moving forward.
