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Can Roger Ver secure a Trump pardon & make his U.S. comeback?

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Roger Ver seeks Trump's help to avoid extradition from Spain to the U.S., aiming to support Trump's goals. Ver is a key figure in crypto advocacy.

Roger Ver doesn’t want to be extradicted to the United States from Spain and has called on President Donald Trump for help.

“I need your help in this lawfair, and allow me to come home so that I can help you make America great again,” he said in a short video posted on X. 

Roger Ver is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, often called “Bitcoin Jesus” due to his early and enthusiastic promotion of Bitcoin. Born in Silicon Valley, California, in 1979, Ver became one of the first major investors in Bitcoin-related businesses and played a significant role in spreading awareness about the potential of cryptocurrencies.

In 2011, Ver began investing in Bitcoin and supporting various companies in the crypto space, such as BitPay, Blockchain.info, and Ripple. His financial backing and vocal advocacy helped these projects grow during the early stages of cryptocurrency adoption. 

Over time, Ver became a passionate proponent of using cryptocurrency to increase economic freedom and reduce reliance on centralized systems like governments and banks.

Six years later, he shifted his focus to Bitcoin Cash, a cryptocurrency that split from Bitcoin in a process known as a “fork.” He supported Bitcoin Cash because it aligned with his belief that cryptocurrency should function as peer-to-peer electronic cash, offering faster and cheaper transactions than Bitcoin. 

This stance made Ver a controversial figure in the crypto community, as debates about the future direction of Bitcoin and its offshoots became heated.

Beyond his advocacy, Ver also played a key role in building crypto-related businesses. He was the CEO of Bitcoin.com, a platform offering cryptocurrency wallets, trading, and news. Bitcoin.com became a hub for Bitcoin Cash and related activities under his leadership. 

Despite his accomplishments, Ver’s career has not been without controversy. His strong opinions, aggressive promotion of Bitcoin Cash, and criticism of Bitcoin have drawn both support and criticism.

In 2014, Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship, driven by his opposition to U.S. tax laws, libertarian ideals, and distrust of government. This decision aimed to shield him from potential lawsuits under U.S. laws. He described it as “one of the hardest and saddest decisions” he ever made, adding, “because America is my home.”

After renouncing his citizenship, Ver became a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a small Caribbean nation known for its citizenship-by-investment program. This decision also allowed him to reduce his tax obligations and live in accordance with his libertarian principles.

However, he went to Spain in 2022 after reportedly experiencing difficulties renewing his Saint Kitts and Nevis passport. He publicly shared that he had encountered challenges related to his travel documentation, which led him to reside temporarily in Spain. 

During this time, Ver remained active in the cryptocurrency space, continuing his advocacy and support for Bitcoin Cash and other blockchain-related projects.

In Q1, 2024, Ver was arrested in Spain on U.S. tax evasion charges. In December, Ver’s attorney filed to have the case dismissed. The charges centered on tax evasion of at least $48 million.

Read also: GOP launch debanking investigation; Democrats eye Trump’s crypto conflicts

When an individual gives up their citizenship, their belongings are treated as though they’ve been “sold” at their current market value the day before, and any resulting profits need to be declared for that year’s taxes. 

Roger Ver, along with his companies MemoryDealers.com and Agilestar.com, was noted to possess 131,000 bitcoins worth over $114 million at that instance, as reported by Reuters.

The authorities allege Ver employed legal assistance for handling his expatriation taxes but suggest he may have incorrectly declared his crypto assets. The DOJ has accused this legal firm of submitting false returns and failing to include Ver’s personal bitcoin assets.

It’s claimed that in 2017, Ver disposed of 70,000 bitcoins from his companies for around $240 million but supposedly neglected to settle the tax obligations for these transactions.

In his video, he said that he is a victim of lawfare from the previous administration. Now, he called out to President Trump to help him. Reiterating his commitment to the US, he revealed, “I want to invest my money in America.”

Roger Ver’s call for help has faced criticism. James Lopp, cofounder of the crypto self-custody solution Casa, pointed out, “You aren’t an American anymore. Remember when you renounced your citizenship?” suggesting that Ver is not eligible for a pardon.

Similarly, Elon Musk responded to a request for pardoning Ver, stating, “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.”

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