Freed Ross Ulbricht Seeks Clemency for ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver in Tax Evasion Case

Ross Ulbricht, the recently pardoned founder of the Silk Road marketplace, is publicly advocating for clemency for Roger Ver, known in the crypto community as “Bitcoin Jesus.

Ver faces serious legal troubles, including charges of tax evasion that could result in a prison sentence spanning decades.

Ross Ulbricht Calls for Support for Roger Ver

In a statement posted on X on February 20, Ulbricht expressed gratitude to Ver for supporting him during his imprisonment and called on others to rally behind Ver.

“Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support,” Ulbricht wrote on X.

“No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes. Let him pay the tax (if any) and be done with it.”

Ver was arrested in Spain in April 2023 at the request of U.S. authorities, who have since sought his extradition. He faces allegations of tax evasion, filing false tax returns, and fraud.

Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support.

No one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes. Let him pay the tax (if any) and be done with it. #FreeRoger pic.twitter.com/flP573hm0N

— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) February 20, 2025

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ver allegedly filed a fraudulent exit tax after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014 to become a Japanese citizen.

Under U.S. tax law, individuals who renounce their citizenship must settle all tax obligations through an exit tax before officially severing ties with the American tax system.

Prosecutors claim Ver failed to report substantial capital gains from Bitcoin sales and undervalued two companies during the citizenship renunciation process.

Notably, they allege that Ver concealed the sale of 131,000 Bitcoins—worth nearly $240 million at the time in 2017—resulting in a tax shortfall of approximately $48 million.

Ver has denied the charges, citing logistical challenges in filing the exit tax, including the illiquid nature of the Bitcoin market at that time.

In December 2023, he sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that U.S. exit tax laws are vague and unconstitutional.

Facing potential extradition and a maximum prison sentence of 109 years if convicted, Ver has turned to high-profile figures for help.

In a video posted on X on January 26, he appealed directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, “Only Trump’s commitment to justice can save me.”

Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help. Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/WhVTZ1M1GB

— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 26, 2025

Trump Fulfills Campaign Promise by Pardoning Ross Ulbricht

Trump, who recently granted Ulbricht’s pardon, had promised the crypto community during his campaign that he would free the Silk Road founder.

Though he pledged to act on his first day in office, Ulbricht’s release came a day after Trump’s January 20 inauguration.

Ulbricht had served 12 years of his sentence, which initially included 40 years plus two life terms.

Notably, Sam Bankman-Fried’s parents are reportedly seeking a pardon for their son from President Donald Trump.

Despite the crypto-friendly atmosphere in the White House, many argue that granting clemency to the former FTX CEO, sentenced to 25 years for misusing billions of customer funds, would set a dangerous precedent.

Bankman-Fried, who faced up to 110 years, called his sentence “draconian,” though it was less than the 50 years prosecutors sought.