- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has joined efforts to support Roger Ver in his legal battle against the U.S. Department of Justice over tax evasion charges.
- Ver was arrested in Spain and released on $163,000 bail, with his attorneys arguing that the U.S. exit tax laws are unconstitutional.
- Supporters claim Ver’s prosecution is politically motivated due to his cryptocurrency advocacy rather than legitimate tax concerns.
Vitalik Buterin has voiced support for early cryptocurrency investor Roger Ver, who faces extradition to the United States on tax evasion charges. The Ethereum co-founder characterized the case as “absurd” and “politically motivated” while criticizing America’s citizenship-based taxation system as “extreme” compared to global standards.
Buterin amplified Ross Ulbricht‘s message calling for an end to Ver’s prosecution. In his commentary, Buterin highlighted how unusual the U.S. approach to taxation is globally, stating: “The US 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, e.g., the UK only charges capital gains if you return within 5 years.”
The Ethereum creator also expressed concerns about potential prosecutorial misconduct, adding: “If the IRS did intimidate Roger’s lawyers to get privileged information, that is a bad faith move.”
Ver’s legal troubles come during growing momentum for tax reform in the United States, with some lawmakers advocating for eliminating the income tax system and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service altogether.
## The Legal Battle Unfolding
The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against Ver on April 30, 2024, leading to his arrest in Spain. After several weeks of imprisonment, Ver posted $163,000 bail on May 17, 2024. His conditional release requires him to remain in Spain, surrender his passport, and check in with court officials every two days.
Ver’s defense team filed a legal motion on December 3, 2024, seeking dismissal of the charges. His attorneys argue that the exit tax law targeting U.S. citizens with over $2 million in investable assets is unconstitutionally vague and violates both the Apportionment Clause and Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Many cryptocurrency advocates view Ver’s case as evidence of targeted enforcement. Ver himself maintains that the prosecution is motivated by his cryptocurrency advocacy rather than legitimate tax concerns.
The entrepreneur, sometimes referred to as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early evangelism of cryptocurrency, has received support from various figures in the crypto community, including Vitalik Buterin and Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road marketplace.
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