Prepare to witness a scandal unfold in the world of Bitcoin as the legendary “Bitcoin Jesus,” Roger Ver, faces charges of mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns. This early investor in Bitcoin has been arrested in Spain and the U.S. is seeking his extradition for trial.
Breaking news: 🇺🇸 US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ARRESTS Roger Ver, an influential figure in the Bitcoin world, on charges of tax evasion. pic.twitter.com/KdShrow0PS
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 30, 2024
According to the indictment, Ver, the owner of MemoryDealers.com Inc. and Agilestar.com Inc., began accumulating bitcoins in 2011, eventually amassing a whopping 131,000 bitcoins valued at around $240 million by 2014. After obtaining citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship, triggering tax obligations on his bitcoin holdings.
Accusations claim that Ver provided false information to evade paying taxes on the substantial gains from his businesses and bitcoin sales. Despite selling 70,000 bitcoins for $240 million in 2017, he allegedly failed to report these gains to the IRS, resulting in a significant loss to the government.
This high-profile case has caught the attention of authorities, with IRS Criminal Investigation’s cybercrimes unit involved in the investigation. Stay tuned as the legal proceedings unfold and the truth behind these allegations comes to light.
