Former "Bitcoin Jesus" Roger Ver Nabbed in Spain for Tax Fraud

Roger Ver, known as "Bitcoin Jesus," faces charges of tax evasion, mail fraud, and filing false tax returns. Federal prosecutors allege Ver defrauded the IRS of $48 million by undervaluing his companies and failing to declare bitcoin ownership during his expatriation process. Despite renouncing U.S. citizenship, Ver is accused of concealing bitcoin transactions from his accountant and illegally selling bitcoins for approximately $240 million in cash.

United States Authorities Apprehend Roger Ver for Alleged Tax Fraud and Evasion

On May 1, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of Roger Ver, a prominent early Bitcoin investor, in Spain. Ver, known as "Bitcoin Jesus" due to his ardent advocacy for the cryptocurrency, faces charges of tax evasion, mail fraud, and filing false tax returns.

According to federal prosecutors, Ver allegedly defrauded the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of at least $48 million by intentionally undervaluing his companies and falsely declaring that he did not personally own any bitcoins during and after his expatriation from the United States in February 2014.

Despite renouncing his U.S. citizenship, Ver remained obligated under American law to report and pay taxes on certain income from his U.S.-based companies, including dividends. The DOJ alleges that Ver concealed from his accountant that he had received and sold bitcoins from these companies in 2017.

The press release further states that Ver continued to violate the law in June 2017 when his companies still owned approximately 70,000 bitcoins. Ver allegedly seized these bitcoins and sold tens of thousands of them on cryptocurrency exchanges in November 2017 for approximately $240 million in cash.

Ver's moniker, "Bitcoin Jesus," stems from his alleged promotion and acquisition of bitcoins for himself and his companies starting in 2011. Axios reports that Ver has been a particularly vocal supporter of Bitcoin Cash.

Bryan Skarlatos, Ver's attorney, told the New York Post that his client was "very disappointed and surprised" by the charges. Skarlatos stated that Ver had relied on professional tax advisors to guide him in reporting his Bitcoin holdings and had always intended to comply fully with his U.S. tax obligations. He added that they would pursue all legal avenues to establish Ver's innocence in court, if necessary.

The United States will seek Ver's extradition from Spain to face trial. The charges against him are a stark reminder that even individuals who expatriate from the United States remain subject to U.S. tax laws and can be held accountable for any violations.