Spanish Court Grants Bail To ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Amid Extradition Requests

As a crypto investor with a keen interest in the regulatory landscape and a deep respect for tax compliance, I find Roger Ver’s situation both intriguing and disheartening. The recent development of his indictment on charges related to Bitcoin fortune and tax evasion is an unfortunate reminder that no one is above the law, not even early advocates of groundbreaking technologies like Bitcoin.


In a notable turn of events, Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin backer facing numerous accusations from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), such as mail fraud and tax evasion, was granted bail by a Spanish court in the midst of extradition attempts from American law enforcement.

 Tax Evasion In Connection With Bitcoin Fortune

In April late last month, Ver was taken into custody in Spain. He managed to secure his freedom on May 17 by posting a €150,000 ($163,000) bail bond. However, certain conditions were imposed upon him: he had to surrender his passport, stay within Spanish borders, and make regular court appearances every fortnight. Two weeks later, the prosecutor attempted to challenge this decision, but their appeal was ultimately denied.

According to the US Department of Justice’s indictment, Roger Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” due to his early promotion of Bitcoin, is alleged to have procured Bitcoins for both himself and his businesses as far back as 2011. This early adoption reportedly resulted in a significant accumulation of wealth in the cryptocurrency.

In 2017, Ver is accused of not disclosing or paying taxes on capital gains from the sale of Bitcoins worth around €240 million. According to the indictment, he hid these transactions from his accountant, thereby avoiding his tax liabilities.

In 2014, Roger Ver relinquished his American citizenship by way of expatriation, and obtained the nationality of St. Kitts and Nevis instead. Nevertheless, under US legislation, he remained obliged to report and settle taxes on profits derived from his international assets, encompassing his Bitcoin investments.

The indictment alleges that Ver knowingly provided inaccurate or misleading information to both his attorneys and appraisers regarding the value of his businesses and Bitcoin holdings. Consequently, this led to the submission of “misrepresented tax returns” which significantly underestimated his assets and allowed him to evade considerable tax liabilities.

US Authorities Pursue Roger Ver’s Extradition

Based on the findings of the report, the US government is actively working to bring Ver before their courts to answer to tax fraud accusations. The Justice Department asserts that Ver neglected to pay a minimum of $48 million in taxes derived from his Bitcoin dealings. Subsequently, the value of his assets was underestimated.

According to Jaime Campaner, Roger Ver’s legal representative, Ver has communicated with American law enforcement agencies via his California-based legal team. Campaner highlighted that Ver’s apprehension appeared unwarranted considering his willingness to collaborate.

The growing criticism of Ver’s situation highlights the intensifying investigation and regulatory actions targeting the cryptocurrency market.

As a crypto investor, I’m constantly keeping an eye on the evolving regulatory landscape. With digital currencies gaining more recognition and value, governments globally are ramping up their efforts to enforce tax and financial regulations. They’re targeting both platforms and key individuals to ensure compliance.

Spanish Court Grants Bail To ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Amid Extradition Requests

As a crypto investor, I can tell you that Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is presently worth approximately $70,990 at this moment. Over the past week, its value has increased by around 6%.

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2024-06-06 04:11