Roger Ver — the California-born cryptocurrency figure known globally as “Bitcoin Jesus” — has agreed to pay nearly $50 million to resolve a federal tax evasion indictment, allowing the case to be dismissed without a criminal conviction. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed Tuesday that Ver entered a deferred-prosecution agreement admitting he failed to pay required taxes after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014.
Ver, who became a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, was legally obligated to file expatriation-related tax forms and pay capital gains taxes on worldwide assets, including hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin. Prosecutors said Ver sold approximately $240 million in crypto but did not pay more than $48 million owed to the IRS. He later acknowledged underreporting his Bitcoin holdings on his 2016 tax filings, resulting in about $17 million in unpaid taxes and a separate $12 million penalty.
He was previously arrested in Spain and released on bail while the U.S. sought his extradition. After Donald Trump returned to the White House, Ver publicly appealed for a presidential pardon, though it was never granted. Still, the agreement struck under the Trump administration — which has maintained close ties with parts of the crypto industry — ensures Ver will avoid prison if he complies fully with the terms of the deal.
In a statement to Bloomberg, Ver expressed gratitude for the dismissal and praised the administration’s “leadership and professionalism” in helping reach a final resolution. U.S. officials emphasized that the case reinforces a simple principle: tax obligations apply to everyone. “Every person, whether you’re a millionaire or not, is required by law to pay taxes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.
