Roger Ver, the early Bitcoin investor often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has reached a tentative $48 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve criminal tax fraud charges. The agreement, first reported by The New York Times, remains subject to court approval and could result in the charges being dropped if Ver fulfills all payment and compliance conditions.
Federal prosecutors accused Ver of evading taxes related to his cryptocurrency holdings before renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. The case dates back to a 2024 indictment alleging that he concealed the value of his Bitcoin portfolio during the expatriation process. Ver, 46, was arrested in Spain in 2024 and faced extradition to the United States before negotiations began earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on the case. Reached by phone, Ver also refused to provide details, stating,
“I’d LOVE to say more, but I will follow my tax lawyer’s advice like I’ve been doing for decades. Unfortunately, that means ‘no comment.’”
Allegations of Concealment and Political Lobbying
The Justice Department charged Ver with failing to pay about $48 million in taxes tied to his cryptocurrency gains. Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Ver would pay a similar amount to settle the case, according to individuals familiar with the discussions. If he meets all conditions, the case could be dismissed without trial.
According to the New York Times, Ver also paid $600,000 to political strategist Roger Stone and retained lawyers linked to former President Donald Trump’s legal team in an effort to reduce his legal exposure. Reports indicate that he hired David Schoen, who represented Trump during his second impeachment, as well as attorney Christopher M. Kise and the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, led by Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard.
Shift in Federal Approach Under Trump Administration
Ver’s settlement comes during a broader softening of U.S. enforcement actions against the crypto sector under President Donald Trump’s second administration. Since January 2025, several regulatory and legal measures against major crypto companies have been withdrawn or reduced.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has dropped cases against Coinbase and other major exchanges, reversing earlier enforcement priorities under President Joe Biden. President Trump has also issued pardons to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, and the former BitMEX exchange executives, who were convicted in 2022 for violating anti–money laundering laws.
Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, is reportedly seeking a similar pardon related to a prior money-laundering violation. The shift marks a broader change in Washington’s approach to the digital asset industry, moving away from aggressive oversight toward more lenient negotiation.
Ver’s Legal Journey and Next Steps
Ver, a former California resident who became a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis after renouncing his U.S. citizenship, has been a central figure in the crypto movement since Bitcoin’s early days. His company, Bitcoin.com, played a major role in promoting Bitcoin Cash after the 2017 blockchain split.
In January 2025, Ver claimed on social media that his legal troubles were politically motivated.
“Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help,” he wrote on X. “Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me.”
The proposed settlement still awaits formal approval. If accepted, it will allow Ver to avoid trial while resolving one of the most closely watched tax cases in the crypto sector.
