YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Elon Musk, head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), is examining a possible pardon for Roger Ver. Ver, often referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus,” is under scrutiny for alleged tax evasion. This move follows Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road.
Roger Ver faces accusations of owing $48 million in taxes connected to his expatriation. Nine months ago, U.S. authorities filed these charges, which Ver disputes. He has stated that he relied on expert advice to comply with tax laws. Supporters argue the case involves breaches of attorney-client privilege and raises concerns about due process.
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Naomi Brockwell, founder of the Ludlow Institute, criticized the case, stating,
“That privileged communications with his lawyers were subpoenaed is a terrible precedent for privacy and the ability to defend oneself.”
Ross Ulbricht’s recent pardon brought attention to Roger Ver’s legal situation. Ulbricht, who received a double life sentence for his role in Silk Road, was granted a full pardon by President Trump. The decision was celebrated by many in the cryptocurrency community.
Ray Youssef, from Noonesapp, called for Ver’s release shortly after Ulbricht’s pardon.
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“Ross is free… Don’t forget Roger Ver and all the builders who have been through hell,”
he tweeted. Advocates view Ver’s case as another example of systemic overreach within the legal system.
Elon Musk’s acknowledgment of the issue has added momentum to the campaign. Additionally, in response to public calls for action, Musk tweeted, “Will inquire,” suggesting he may investigate Ver’s case further.
Roger Ver’s Defense Highlights Constitutional Concerns
Roger Ver’s defense team claims that authorities violated his legal rights. They argue that officials subpoenaed privileged communications with his legal counsel, which undermines attorney-client confidentiality. Additionally, critics highlight that officials withheld potentially exculpatory evidence during grand jury proceedings.
Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, expressed support for Ver, joining others in urging President Trump to intervene. Many argue a pardon for Ver would emphasize the importance of privacy and fair legal procedures.
In addition, one supporter also mentioned Roman Storm, a developer facing charges for creating open-source privacy tools. The supporter argued that developers should not be held responsible for how their tools are used.
Above all, the push for Roger Ver’s clemency continues to gain traction, drawing attention to issues of privacy, fairness, and systemic accountability in the legal treatment of cryptocurrency figures.
Tatev Avetisyan is a Markets Writer and Analyst at CoinChapter, covering cryptocurrency markets, policy, and regulation. With over seven years of experience in business and marketing development, she has spent the past two years specializing in digital assets and has authored more than 2,000 articles on crypto markets and regulatory developments.She contributes as a guest writer to leading industry publications and is a prominent Web3 advocate in Armenia through Web3Armenia. Her work reflects a broader focus on artificial intelligence and Web3 technologies.
Tatev maintains a diversified crypto portfolio, with Bitcoin as her primary holding above CoinChapter’s $1,000 disclosure threshold.
