Roger Ver, once hailed as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his evangelical promotion of cryptocurrency, now finds himself praying for salvation of a different kind. The early Bitcoin investor, arrested in Spain last April, faces serious charges of fraud and tax evasion. Spanish authorities claim he concealed a staggering $240 million in income and owes at least $48 million in unpaid taxes. Not exactly pocket change.
Ver took matters into his own hands on January 26, tweeting a direct appeal to President Trump. The irony? He called himself “an American” despite renouncing his U.S. citizenship back in 2014. Talk about convenient timing. His plea emphasized Trump’s “commitment to justice” and painted himself as a victim of “lawfare.” Classic.
Trump’s reputation as the “crypto president” isn’t without merit. He’s enacted crypto-friendly executive orders and pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht. The crypto community watches closely, wondering who might be next on Trump’s pardon list.
Ver’s influence in crypto circles is undeniable. Since investing over $1 million in early Bitcoin startups, he’s supported major players like Blockchain.com, Kraken, and Ripple. His defense team has already filed a motion to dismiss based on unclear tax laws surrounding crypto assets. He managed Bitcoin.com for years before switching allegiance to Bitcoin Cash around 2017. Many Bitcoin maximalists haven’t forgiven him for that betrayal.
Born in Silicon Valley in 1979, Ver founded Memory Dealers in 1999 before becoming an early and vocal Bitcoin promoter. His libertarian and sometimes anarchist views have made him a polarizing figure. Some admire his commitment to cryptocurrency’s original vision. Others see an opportunist.
A potential pardon for Ver would be explosive. It could set precedent for crypto-related cases, influence regulatory approaches, and impact ongoing legal actions against other crypto figures. It might also spark heated debate on crypto taxation. Unlike traditional fiat currencies backed by government authority, Ver championed decentralized networks that operate beyond central control. His significant blockchain-related ventures have kept him at the forefront of cryptocurrency innovation despite legal troubles.
For now, Ver remains on bail in Spain, awaiting an extradition decision. Bitcoin Jesus needs more than faith now. He needs Trump’s mercy.
