Bitcoin News Today: Trump-Era Crypto Leniency Spares Bitcoin Jesus $48M Payout, Charges Dropped

Roger Ver, a prominent early Bitcoin investor known as "Bitcoin Jesus," has reached a tentative deferred-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle criminal tax fraud charges, according to multiple reports. Under the terms of the deal, Ver would pay approximately $48 million in restitution to the IRS to resolve allegations that he evaded taxes on gains from his digital asset holdings. The charges, which include mail fraud and filing false tax returns, were filed in 2024 and accused Ver of concealing the value of his Bitcoin portfolio during his 2014 renunciation of U.S. citizenship. Prosecutors alleged he failed to report $240 million in proceeds from the sale of 70,000 bitcoins held by his companies, MemoryDealers and Agilestar, in 2017 .

The agreement, first reported by The New York Times, is pending court approval and could still be modified. If Ver complies with the payment and compliance terms, the charges would eventually be dismissed. This case highlights a broader shift in federal crypto enforcement under the Trump administration, which has rolled back prior investigations into high-profile industry figures. The DOJ's reversal follows a pattern seen in recent months, including the dismissal of cases against Coinbase and other exchanges and the pardoning of Ross Ulbricht and BitMEX founders .

Ver's legal strategy included leveraging political connections to mitigate the case's impact. He paid $600,000 to Roger Stone, a Trump associate, to lobby for his defense and retained attorneys linked to Trump's legal team, including David Schoen and Christopher Kise. Additionally, Ver's firm hired Brian Ballard, a major Trump fundraiser, for lobbying efforts. These actions align with his public appeals to Trump for a pardon, which he framed as a politically motivated prosecution .

The case also involved a protracted extradition battle. Ver was arrested in Spain in 2024 and faced extradition to the U.S. after the DOJ sought his return. He later filed a lawsuit at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to challenge the extradition, arguing that Spain's decision violated his human rights and legal protections. The ECHR has yet to rule on the matter, but the deferred-prosecution agreement could render the extradition dispute moot if the settlement is finalized .

Ver's defense has contested the constitutional validity of the U.S. "exit tax" on expatriates with significant assets. His attorneys argued that the tax provisions violate the Constitution's Apportionment and Due Process Clauses, citing the lack of clarity in crypto tax regulations during the period in question. This legal challenge, however, was rejected by U.S. courts, which upheld the DOJ's case against him .

The settlement reflects the Trump administration's broader approach to crypto regulation, characterized by reduced enforcement against industry leaders. This contrasts with the Biden administration's aggressive stance on crypto compliance. The outcome also underscores the political influence wielded by prominent crypto figures, as Ver's case became a focal point in debates over regulatory fairness and executive pardons.

Source: [1] Crypto Investor Known as 'Bitcoin Jesus' ... - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/technology/roger-ver-bitcoin-justice-department-deal.html)

[2] Roger Ver reaches tentative $48 million tax fraud settlement with ... (https://cryptobriefing.com/roger-ver-doj-tax-crypto-settlement-48m/)

[3] Roger Ver reaches $48M tax settlement with US prosecutors: NYT (https://blockworks.co/news/roger-ver-tax-settlement)

[4] 'Bitcoin Jesus' to Settle U.S. Tax, Fraud Charges: NYT (https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/10/09/bitcoin-jesus-to-settle-u-s-tax-fraud-charges-nyt)

[5] Roger Ver Aka 'Bitcoin Jesus' Reaches Deal In Tax Fraud Case (https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/roger-ver-aka-bitcoin-jesus-reaches-deal-in-u-s-tax-fraud-case)

[6] Roger Ver, facing 109-year sentence over 'exit tax' ... (https://www.theblock.co/post/362977/roger-ver-facing-109-year-sentence-over-exit-tax-scandal-sues-spain-to-block-us-extradition)

[7] Roger Ver Files Lawsuit, Attempts to Block US Extradition (https://cointelegraph.com/news/roger-ver-sues-block-us-extradition)