Roger Ver Challenges Extradition Amid Tax Evasion Allegations

According to Cointelegraph, early Bitcoin investor and advocate Roger Ver, known as "Bitcoin Jesus," has initiated legal proceedings against Spain to prevent his extradition to the United States, where he faces charges of tax evasion. The lawsuit, filed with the European Court of Human Rights, claims that extraditing Ver would infringe upon his human rights. This development follows charges by the United States Department of Justice in April 2024, accusing Ver of tax fraud amounting to $48 million. Ver was arrested by Spanish authorities shortly after the charges were filed but was released on bail in May. Ver, who has consistently asserted his innocence, argues that the case against him is politically motivated. He has sought a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump. Ver, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency community and the creator of Bitcoin Cash (BCH), remains a divisive character within the Bitcoin (BTC) sphere. Despite the controversy, several industry leaders and crypto veterans have urged the Department of Justice to drop the charges against him. In December 2024, Ver's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that the "exit tax" imposed on individuals with a net worth of $2 million or more who wish to renounce their U.S. citizenship is unconstitutional. They contend that the tax violates both the Apportionment Clause and the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The case has garnered attention from notable figures in the cryptocurrency world. Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road who was pardoned by President Trump in January, has called for an end to Ver's prosecution, stating that no one should face life imprisonment over tax issues. Ulbricht suggested that Ver should be allowed to pay any taxes owed and move on. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has also criticized the U.S. exit tax, describing it as "extreme" and the charges against Ver as "politically motivated." The ongoing legal battle highlights the complex intersection of cryptocurrency, law, and international relations.