Roger Ver has publicly pleaded for assistance from U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing fears that he could soon face extradition from Spain to the United States.
In a video posted on X, he stated that he could be sentenced to up to 109 years in prison for what he described as “activism within cryptocurrency.”
The Plea
Ver described himself as the first person to invest in the Bitcoin ecosystem, emphasizing his American roots and the ideals that inspired his passion for crypto. He explained that he could soon be imprisoned in Spain and extradited to the U.S., potentially facing up to 109 years in prison.
The Bitcoin proponent alleged that U.S. authorities were using “lawfare” to target him because of his political views and crypto advocacy, likening his situation to Trump’s experiences.
He also explained that he had renounced his citizenship in 2014 to avoid government harassment, calling it a painful decision forced by those who opposed his beliefs.
The video concluded with him stressing, “Please, Donald Trump, I need your help to help me win this lawsuit and allow me to come home so that I can help you make America great again.”
The 46-year-old’s association with Bitcoin began in 2011 when the asset was priced under $1. In early interviews, he was quoted saying he was captivated by its potential to disrupt traditional financial systems.
At the time, he invested over $1 million into early startups, including now-prominent companies like Blockchain.com, Kraken, and Ripple. His advocacy for the flagship cryptocurrency earned him the nickname “Bitcoin Jesus” and established him as one of its most prominent early adopters.
Bitcoin Jesus’ Legal Troubles
Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014 and became a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Despite this, the law required him to file tax returns and report capital gains from the sale of his global assets, including Bitcoin.
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted him in April 2024 on charges of mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors claimed he defrauded the IRS of approximately $48 million by failing to report capital gains from his crypto holdings.
He was later arrested in Spain in May and released on bail under the condition that he remain in the country while awaiting possible extradition to the United States. However, the Bitcoin proponent’s legal team is contesting the charges, arguing that the U.S. tax rules at the time did not provide clear guidance for crypto pioneers like him.
Trump, known for his new-found crypto-friendly approach, is now being called upon to intervene in Ver’s legal battle. The President recently pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, a figure celebrated within the crypto community.
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