YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has joined calls to support Roger Ver, an early crypto investor, who faces extradition to the United States over tax evasion charges. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Ver of failing to pay taxes, leading to his arrest in Spain.
Buterin reshared a statement from Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, calling for an end to Ver’s prosecution. Buterin criticized the U.S. tax-by-citizenship system, calling it an extreme approach compared to other countries. He pointed out that nations like the United Kingdom impose capital gains tax only if an individual returns within five years.
“The U.S. tax-by-citizenship and associated exit tax regime are extreme. The former is shared by almost no other countries in the world, and the latter is on the high end of what countries do.”
He also commented on allegations that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pressured Ver’s lawyers to obtain privileged information, calling such actions bad faith moves.
Roger Ver’s Tax Evasion Case and Legal Battle
The DOJ charged Roger Ver with tax evasion on April 30, 2024, alleging that he failed to pay required exit taxes after renouncing his U.S. citizenship. Spanish authorities arrested Ver, and he spent several weeks in prison before securing bail of $163,000 on May 17, 2024. His bail conditions require him to stay in Spain, surrender his passport, and report to court officials every two days.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Ver’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that the exit tax law is vague and unconstitutional. They cited violations of the Apportionment Clause and Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Ver, a long-time supporter of Bitcoin (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), claims that the case is not about taxes but about his crypto-related activism. His supporters argue that the U.S. government is targeting him for promoting financial independence through cryptocurrency.
Crypto Community Responds to DOJ’s Actions Against Roger Ver
The crypto community has raised concerns over Roger Ver’s prosecution, calling it an example of increased regulatory pressure on digital assets. Some industry figures believe the case reflects a broader effort to tighten control over cryptocurrencies.
The campaign to free Roger Ver follows a similar movement for Ross Ulbricht, who is serving a double life sentence for running Silk Road. Many in the industry argue that both cases highlight the U.S. government’s stance on cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.
Ver remains in Spain while the extradition process continues. His legal team is pushing for the dismissal of charges, while supporters continue to challenge the DOJ’s handling of the case.
