Crypto veterans call out DOJ for targeting Roger Ver a decade after he left US

As a researcher with a background in cryptocurrencies and digital economy, I have closely followed the development surrounding the arrest of Roger Ver on tax evasion charges in the United States. Having witnessed the evolution of the crypto community and its various factions, I cannot help but share my perspective on this issue.


As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency market, I’ve come across recent news that early Bitcoin investor and Bitcoin Cash advocate, Roger Ver, was arrested on tax evasion charges in the United States. This development has sparked diverse responses from members of the crypto community.

Some members of the community strongly condemned Ver’s arrest, whereas a few others defended it based on his more recent opposition to Bitcoin.

Dan Held, a staunch supporter of Bitcoin over the long term, was among a small group voicing approval for the arrest. He expressed his viewpoint by stating, “He (Ver) has had a detrimental impact on Bitcoin.”

Crypto veterans call out DOJ for targeting Roger Ver a decade after he left US

In the crypto sphere, X account holder using the handle Pledditor raised concerns that Roger Ver’s recent arrest could be connected to his involvement in various probes, including those of Binance, Genesis, and 3AC.

As a cryptocurrency analyst, I’ve noticed a significant backlash from industry veterans towards the U.S. Department of Justice for their recent pursuit of tax evasion charges against Ver, despite his relinquishment of American citizenship in 2014.

Since 2014, Ver, a Japanese national, was taken into custody in Spain on the 30th of April due to accusations of criminal activity originating from the United States. These allegations involve mail fraud, tax evasion, and submitting falsified tax returns.

According to a notice from the United States Department of Justice, IRS alleges that Ver failed to pay taxes amounting to $48 million on his cryptocurrency transactions, specifically Bitcoin sales, in the year 2017. Consequently, Ver is currently facing extradition proceedings to the United States.

As a seasoned crypto investor, I’ve been closely following the recent developments regarding the arrest of Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the CEO of Binance. This unexpected turn of events has stirred up quite a controversy among the community, with many veteran investors expressing their concerns over what they perceive as an overreach by U.S. law enforcement agencies.

According to Paul Sztorc, founder and CEO of LayerTwo Labs, Ver acted within the legal framework when he initially departed from the United States and established his residency in Japan.

Sztorc mentioned that Ver had legally paid taxes in Japan and the United States for nine years, yet he was apprehended in Spain after a decade. He pointed out that this scenario didn’t perfectly align with “government by the will of the people.”

Crypto veterans call out DOJ for targeting Roger Ver a decade after he left US

Kim Dotcom, a long-time cryptocurrency figure and former target of law enforcement, expressed his belief that the indictment against Roger Ver is unrelated to tax evasion but rather a “crusade” or “pursuit” against an individual who has publicly opposed U.S. military conflicts and controversial foreign and domestic policies. Dotcom further noted that Ver has been more than just verbally supportive of Julian Assange and press freedom, as he has taken concrete actions to back these causes.

Jane Adams, a 2024 U.S. House hopeful and a supporter of Bitcoin, expressed concern over the arrest of Ver, viewing it as a clear suppression of opposing viewpoints. She further stated that the American government’s actions against Ver are driven by vengeance, given his advocacy for press freedom and opposition to U.S. imperialism.

Some people believed Ver’s arrest was just one piece of a bigger crackdown on cryptocurrencies by the US government, according to DavidShares, an advocate for Bitcoin on X.

Crypto veterans call out DOJ for targeting Roger Ver a decade after he left US

As a crypto investor, I’ve observed that the Biden administration has been actively pursuing stricter enforcement and regulatory actions against cryptocurrencies before the upcoming elections in November.

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2024-05-01 12:47