Roger Ver, facing serious legal charges, has paid $600K to Roger Stone to lobby Congress in an attempt to change laws relevant to his case. Ver denies wrongdoing but attributes his tax issues to Bitcoin’s illiquidity. Increasing support for Ver from prominent figures like Ross Ulbricht reflects a wider movement within the crypto community amid changing political tides with Trump.
Roger Ver, infamously dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus,” is in deep legal trouble facing charges like mail fraud and tax evasion. In a rather unexpected twist, he’s not leaving his fate solely in the hands of the legal system but is venturing into the political arena to fight back.
The crux of Ver’s plan involves a hefty spending spree—specifically, $600,000 paid to Roger Stone, a notable ally of former President Donald Trump. This cash infusion is intended to persuade Congress to change the laws he’s currently accused of violating. Reportedly, Stone was brought on board in February. Ver is adamant about his innocence but concedes he stumbled with his U.S. exit tax, attributing the trouble to the Bitcoin market’s illiquidity at that time.
Ver has actively called for support, including a January video where he implores Trump to assist him, stating he could be facing over a century behind bars for his pro-crypto stance. The U.S. government claims Ver has dodged a staggering $48 million in taxes since giving up his citizenship, but he insists that the matter is more complex, emphasizing the liquidity issues with Bitcoin that hindered compliance.
Ver’s cause seems to be gathering momentum, with various figures stepping into the debate. Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road currently serving a lifelong prison sentence, is advocating for Ver’s pardon, speaking highly of Ver’s previous advocacy. Meanwhile, economist Jeffrey Tucker has also voiced his support, labelling Ver as a martyr for freedom.
Interestingly, this lobbying effort happens against a backdrop of Trump’s increasing favour for cryptocurrencies and his criticism of stringent SEC regulations. While it remains to be seen if Ver’s political manoeuvring will effectively influence his legal challenges, it’s evident that the crypto discussion is shifting towards the political landscape, shaping its future amidst a tangled web of law and liberty.
