An early crypto influencer recently resolved a federal investigation into mail fraud and tax evasion, paying roughly the same amount he was accused of avoiding.
Roger Ver, known to many as “Bitcoin Jesus,” began acquiring bitcoin in 2011. By February 2014, he owned two companies and formally renounced his U.S. citizenship in favor of St. Kitts and Nevis, a jurisdiction known for low-tax policies, including no corporate, individual or capital gains taxes.
Because Ver renounced his citizenship, he was required to file final U.S. tax returns reflecting the value of his companies, capital gains from his assets and an exit tax. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Ver provided inaccurate information to the law firm preparing those filings, which resulted in a significantly undervalued estimate of his companies and no disclosure of substantial cryptocurrency holdings.
In 2017, Ver sold cryptocurrency on an exchange for approximately $240 million in cash, a taxable event under expatriation rules. Federal authorities allege that the sale, conducted through his companies, was not reported, leaving nearly $48 million in unpaid tax liabilities. Following an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigation, an indictment was unsealed in April 2024, and Ver was arrested in Spain on charges that included filing false tax returns, mail fraud and tax evasion.
Public advocacy and a settlement
Ver mounted an active public campaign while his case unfolded, including statements on social media and hiring high-profile advocates. Reporting also notes that he retained lobbyists and attorneys experienced in complex criminal and political cases.
In October 2025, Ver reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ. Under the terms, he will pay approximately $48 million, the amount authorities alleged he failed to report, and may see the charges dismissed if he satisfies all conditions of the agreement.
Separately, around the same time, the White House issued a pardon for Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance. Whether Ver will seek any additional relief remains unknown.
Concealing assets from the IRS?
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