Roger Ver Faces Life in Prison for Tax Evasion

The Most Important Facts at a Glance
Roger Ver, known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” faces a potential life sentence for alleged tax evasion. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin considers this punishment excessive and politically motivated. Elon Musk, on the other hand, rejects a pardon, arguing that Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship. The crypto community is divided, while prediction markets give Ver only a slim chance of receiving a pardon from Donald Trump.
Background: Who is Roger Ver?
Roger Ver was one of the earliest prominent advocates of Bitcoin and invested early in crypto projects. Due to his involvement, he earned the nickname “Bitcoin Jesus.” Later, he supported Bitcoin Cash (BCH) as an alternative to Bitcoin (BTC). Now, he faces serious tax evasion charges that could lead to a life sentence.
Vitalik Buterin Criticizes the Charges
Vitalik Buterin considers the potential consequences excessive. He argues that non-violent tax offenses should not be punished with life imprisonment. Instead, offenders should have the opportunity to repay tax debts with interest and penalties. He draws parallels to Ross Ulbricht, the operator of the darknet marketplace Silk Road, who also received a harsh sentence.
Elon Musk Rejects Pardon
Elon Musk opposes a pardon for Roger Ver. He justifies this by pointing out that Ver voluntarily renounced his U.S. citizenship. “Membership has its privileges,” Musk commented, making it clear that Ver should not expect special treatment.
Support from the Crypto Community
In addition to Buterin, other well-known figures in the industry have spoken out in support of Ver. Ross Ulbricht, who recently received a pardon, considers a life sentence for tax offenses inappropriate. Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell suspects that authorities are specifically targeting Ver to make his life difficult.
Roger Ver’s Defense
Ver sees himself as a victim of political persecution. On social media, he appealed to Donald Trump for support and released a video portraying himself as wrongfully prosecuted. He emphasizes that this is not about taxes but rather a targeted campaign against him.
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Low Chances of a Pardon
Despite high-profile support, the chances of a pardon remain slim. Prediction market Polymarket gives him only a 7% probability of being pardoned within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. The crypto community remains divided: while some hope for a turnaround, others see the authorities’ tough stance as inevitable.
Our Assessment
Roger Ver faces a serious legal challenge. While some consider his punishment excessive, it remains unclear whether political support or public opinion can influence his case. The low probability of a pardon suggests that authorities are determined to set an example. The coming months will reveal whether Ver’s situation will take a turn.