Michaela Alvez
Roger Ver, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world who is also known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has publicly appealed to President Donald Trump, seeking assistance to block his extradition to the U.S.
In a video shared on X, Ver made a direct plea, arguing that President Trump’s dedication to justice could be the key to preventing his extradition.
“As I’m filming this, these might be my very final moments of freedom. By later tonight in Spain, I could very well be in a Spanish prison, on my way back to the United States to face life in prison, up to 109 years,” Ver stated. “Not because I’ve done anything wrong, but because of my activism within cryptocurrency,” he added.
As Ver claims, he was one of the first people to support and promote Bitcoin early and is currently facing potential extradition to the United States over alleged violations related to his promotion of certain cryptocurrency businesses.
The legal drama began when Ver became entangled in a series of legal disputes stemming from his involvement with the now-defunct Bitcoin Cash network, which split from Bitcoin in 2017. Ver was accused of promoting various ventures and individuals involved in cryptocurrency projects that have been accused of fraud and money laundering activities.
In April 2024, Ver was arrested in Barcelona during a cryptocurrency conference, facing charges of tax evasion. Ver’s arrest came at a time when he had distanced himself from his U.S. citizenship and was living abroad.
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) indictment accused Ver of failing to report taxes on the sale of approximately $240 million worth of Bitcoin in 2017. Additionally, it claimed he underreported the value of his Bitcoin holdings, allegedly allowing him to evade a higher exit tax.
In December 2024, Ver filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges, arguing that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) “exit tax” was unconstitutional and overly vague. Ver had renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014 and later obtained citizenship in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Ver’s appeal to President Trump may be influenced by the president’s recent fulfillment of a campaign promise, where he issued a sweeping pardon to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, securing his release from prison.
Musk Chimes In on ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Case
On January 21, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his views on the increasing calls for a pardon for Ver. In a post on X, Musk replied to Ian Miles Cheong, co-host of the Other View Podcast, who had called for a pardon for Ver.
“It’s Roger Ver’s turn. End the lawfare,” Cheong wrote. “That’s up to the President, but I have asked whether this is possible,” Musk replied. Musk’s response sparked a flurry of activity on X, with supporters seeing his endorsement as a crucial moment in the ongoing push for justice in Ver’s case.
However, Musk’s latest statement appears to have shifted the initial momentum sparked by his previous reply. “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges,” Musk posted on X in response to another user questioning when Ver would be pardoned.
Many people expressed disagreement with Musk’s sentiment on the matter. A user named “Colin Talks Crypto” suggested that Ver’s decision to renounce his U.S. citizenship was likely a result of the “lawfare” tactics employed against him. “It’s important to recognize Roger didn’t *want* to renounce his citizenship, but he feared further political persecution and further imprisonment (he had already been jailed unjustly once),” Colin wrote.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
