Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, newly pardoned by Trump, is now calling for clemency for Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor facing 109 years in prison for alleged tax evasion.
In a February 20 statement on X, Ulbricht called for clemency for Ver, arguing that no one should spend the rest of their life behind bars over taxes.
“Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support,” Ulbricht wrote.
With Donald Trump having pardoned Ulbricht in January, the case of Roger Ver is now drawing attention from the crypto community and political circles alike. The question remains will Trump step in once again?
Why Is Roger Ver Facing 109 Years in Prison?
Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor and libertarian advocate, was arrested in Spain last April on criminal tax charges from the United States. He now faces extradition to the U.S., where he could be sentenced to up to 109 years in prison.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that:
- Ver filed fraudulent tax returns after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014 to become a Japanese citizen.
- He failed to report capital gains from 131,000 Bitcoin sales in 2017, leading to an alleged $48 million tax shortfall.
- He underreported the value of two companies before his exit from the U.S. tax system.
Under U.S. tax laws, any American renouncing citizenship must pay an “exit tax” on unrealized capital gains before leaving the tax system. Prosecutors argue that Ver intentionally concealed his Bitcoin holdings, evading millions in taxes.
Ver, however, denies the allegations, claiming the IRS’s exit tax process was flawed, particularly due to the lack of liquid markets for Bitcoin in 2017.
Trump’s Role in Crypto Pardons – Will Ver Be Next?
Ver’s case has quickly become a litmus test for Trump’s stance on crypto-related legal battles.
In a January 26 video posted to X, Ver directly appealed to Trump for help, stating:
“Only your commitment to justice can save me.”
This plea comes just weeks after Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, fulfilling a campaign promise made to crypto supporters. Ulbricht had spent 12 years in prison, serving two life sentences plus 40 years for creating Silk Road, the now-defunct darknet marketplace.
Trump’s decision to free Ulbricht was seen as a major win for the crypto community, reinforcing his message that he stands against overreach in crypto-related prosecutions.
Now, Ver’s case presents another test of Trump’s willingness to intervene in high-profile crypto legal battles.
Crypto Industry Reacts: A War Against Crypto Entrepreneurs?
Ulbricht’s public defense of Roger Ver has reignited debates about government overreach in prosecuting early crypto pioneers.
- Many in the crypto community view Ver’s case as politically motivated, designed to set a precedent against tax avoidance in digital assets.
- Others argue that Ver, a long-time critic of U.S. financial policies, is being unfairly targeted for his libertarian beliefs.
- Supporters believe that Ver’s charges should be resolved through financial penalties not extreme prison sentences.
With the Biden administration continuing aggressive enforcement against crypto figures, some worry that this is just the beginning of wider legal action against key figures in the industry.
What Happens Next? Will Ver Get a Presidential Lifeline?
Roger Ver’s extradition case in Spain is still ongoing, but if sent to the U.S., he faces a long and brutal legal fight.
With Ulbricht now publicly advocating for Ver’s release, pressure is mounting on Trump to consider another high-profile crypto pardon.
But will Trump step in again, as he did for Ulbricht or will Ver become the next symbol of the U.S. government’s crackdown on crypto?
