Ross Ulbricht, the recently pardoned founder of Silk Road, has joined the push to “Free Roger Ver,” calling for support as the early Bitcoin evangelist faces serious tax evasion charges in the U.S. Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus,” was arrested in Spain in 2024 at the request of U.S. authorities.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Ver deliberately understated the value of his Bitcoin holdings when filing his “exit tax” before renouncing his American citizenship in 2014.
Prosecutors claim he owes nearly $50 million in back taxes, with charges including mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false returns. If convicted, Ver could face a maximum sentence of 109 years.
At the core of the case is the 2008 U.S. “exit tax,” which aims to prevent tax avoidance by requiring individuals who renounce citizenship to settle taxes on unrealized capital gains. The DOJ claims that Ver, through his companies MemoryDealers and Agilestar, held tens of thousands of Bitcoin worth over $240 million in 2017 but intentionally misreported their value. Ver and his legal team argue that the charges represent government overreach, insisting he acted in good faith.
From ‘Free Ross’ to ‘Free Roger Ver’
Ulbricht’s call for Ver’s release echoes the campaign that helped secure his own presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Trump’s decision to free Ulbricht was widely supported in libertarian and crypto circles, with many viewing his double life sentence as excessive.
However, Ver’s case has been more divisive. While he was an early supporter of Bitcoin, he alienated parts of the crypto community by backing Bitcoin Cash (BCH) during the contentious “Blocksize Wars.” Critics also point to his previous legal troubles—he served 10 months in federal prison in 2002 for illegally selling explosives online.
With Trump back in office, speculation has risen about potential pardons. Betting markets currently place Ver’s chances of receiving clemency at 10%, trailing behind figures like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. Meanwhile, Silk Road’s Ulbricht insists: “No one should spend life in prison over taxes.”
Disclaimer
This article is provided for information only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
