‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Challenges US Tax Evasion Charges

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As a seasoned cryptocurrency investor with a keen interest in Bitcoin, I find myself deeply concerned about the ongoing legal battles facing pioneers like Roger Ver, affectionately known as “Bitcoin Jesus”. Having followed his journey since the early days of Bitcoin, I have witnessed firsthand his relentless advocacy for decentralized financial systems and his generous promotion of cryptocurrencies.

Roger Ver, often referred to as ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ due to his large following of 745,000 on X (previously known as Twitter), and a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world, having been an early Bitcoin investor, has requested a U.S. court to throw out tax evasion allegations against him.

45-year-old Ver was apprehended during a cryptocurrency gathering in Barcelona, Spain, in February. The charges against him include tax evasion amounting to around $48 million and submitting a fraudulent tax declaration.

Bitcoin Jesus Claims His Arrest Was Politically Driven

As a former U.S. citizen who chose to renounce my nationality in 2014 and later moved my operations overseas, I find myself facing charges related to the sale of approximately $240 million worth of cryptocurrencies. These charges also include an “exit tax” that is being levied against me by U.S. prosecutors. Currently, I am residing in Spain, where I am awaiting a court decision regarding my potential extradition back to the United States.

As reported by Bloomberg, Ver’s legal representatives have labeled the indictment as politically influenced. They argue that it symbolizes the Biden administration’s aggressive stance towards enforcing regulations on cryptocurrencies.

His legal team contends that these accusations serve more as an attempt to control the industry by enforcing regulations, rather than establishing clear policies for it.

Currently, the situation is generating a lot of interest across the cryptocurrency community, with critics claiming that the U.S. administration is intentionally targeting prominent figures in the crypto world as a warning.

In a recent post on X (previously known as Twitter), I, as a crypto investor and advocate, expressed my thoughts about Roger. He didn’t actually commit any crime, but in the context of American Lawfare, that doesn’t seem to matter. What Roger did do, however, was champion a groundbreaking, decentralizing technology that significantly boosts the power of citizens. This revolutionary tech is transformative and empowers us all in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

Ver has been a vocal critic of US crypto regulation. He has long advocated for decentralized financial systems and the adoption of Bitcoin as a global currency. 

Over the last year, the government has managed to convict several prominent individuals in the cryptocurrency world on various charges. Today, Alex Mashinsky, a previous CEO of Celsius, admitted his guilt on numerous fraud allegations.

As a crypto investor, I can confidently say that the authorities have effectively pursued and brought charges against all prominent associates of Sam Bankman-Fried, who are connected to the downfall of FTX.

A Legacy in Bitcoin

Known as “Bitcoin’s Messiah,” Ver was one of the pioneers who advocated for Bitcoin when its worth was minimal, below $1. He frequently gifted BTC to his followers to foster acceptance. Additionally, he has invested in prominent crypto businesses like Ripple Labs, BitPay, and Kraken.

Ver was born an American but relocated to Japan in 2006. In 2014, he gave up his U.S. citizenship to become a national of Saint Kitts and Nevis instead.

His arrest by Spanish authorities earlier this year has reignited debates on US cryptocurrency regulations and the treatment of industry pioneers. However, this is not his first legal battle. Ver has previously faced multiple lawsuits from crypto companies, including Genesis and ConFLEX. 

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2024-12-04 05:20