TLDR
- Early Bitcoin pioneer Roger Ver seeks Trump’s pardon while facing 109 years in prison for tax charges
- Ver renounced US citizenship in 2014, prompting Elon Musk to oppose his pardon request
- DOJ alleges Ver failed to report Bitcoin holdings, leading to $48M tax loss
- The appeal follows Trump’s recent pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
- Tech leaders and crypto experts debate Ver’s eligibility for presidential clemency
A new chapter has opened in the cryptocurrency world’s legal narrative as Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor, reaches out to former President Donald Trump for clemency. Ver faces a potential 109-year prison sentence for tax-related charges, but his 2014 decision to give up his American citizenship has complicated his bid for freedom.
Ver’s appeal emerged through a video message posted on X on January 26, 2025. “Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help,” Ver stated in his message to Trump. “Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me @realDonaldTrump.”
The timing of Ver’s request follows Trump’s recent pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, who walked free last week after serving 12 years of multiple life sentences. However, Ver’s situation differs notably from Ulbricht’s due to his citizenship status.
Tech mogul Elon Musk, recently appointed to lead Trump’s DOGE agency, took a firm stance against Ver’s request. “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges,” Musk posted on X, drawing attention to Ver’s previous decision to renounce his American passport.
The Department of Justice’s 2024 case against Ver centers on allegations that he failed to properly disclose his Bitcoin holdings to the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecutors claim this omission resulted in a tax loss of at least $48 million to the US government.
Spanish authorities arrested Ver in April 2024, acting on charges of tax evasion and filing false returns. Ver had been living abroad as a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, having obtained citizenship there after leaving his American citizenship behind in 2014.
Casa’s Chief Security Officer Jameson Lopp joined the discussion, questioning Ver’s appeal to American identity. “You aren’t an American any more. Remember when you renounced your citizenship?” Lopp wrote on X, adding his voice to those opposing Ver’s pardon request.
Ver maintains his innocence through statements on his website, where he claims to have faced decades of harassment from “rogue US government agents who hate American freedom.” He characterizes the charges as retaliation for his outspoken criticism of government policies.
Some voices have emerged in support of Ver’s clemency bid. American author Bret Weinstein suggested on X that “pardoning Roger is the strongest signal the President could send that Biden’s war on crypto is over,” framing the potential pardon as a political statement.
Ver’s role as an early cryptocurrency adopter has added another layer to the ongoing debate. His investments in Bitcoin during its early days earned him recognition within the crypto community before his legal troubles began.
The DOJ’s investigation focuses on Ver’s activities during his time as a US citizen, particularly regarding his cryptocurrency holdings and tax reporting obligations. The $48 million figure represents the government’s estimate of unpaid taxes on unreported assets.
Ver’s current citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, obtained through an investment program, presents unique challenges to his pardon request. His decision to change citizenship predated the current charges but has become central to the debate over his eligibility for presidential clemency.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges of cryptocurrency taxation and reporting requirements. Ver’s situation highlights the complex relationship between digital assets, tax obligations, and international citizenship rights.
Federal investigators continue to examine Ver’s case, with the possibility of additional findings as the investigation proceeds. The DOJ has indicated that their probe remains active, suggesting the potential for further developments.
Current legal proceedings continue as Ver awaits decisions on his case. His appeal for presidential intervention represents the latest development in an ongoing legal battle that spans multiple jurisdictions and years of cryptocurrency history.
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