Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Jesus Pays $48M to Drop Tax Charges as Crypto Enforcement Softens

Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor known as "Bitcoin Jesus," has reached a tentative deferred-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve criminal tax fraud and evasion charges. Under the terms of the deal, Ver would pay approximately $48 million to the government, with charges expected to be dropped if he complies with the agreement's conditions, pending court approval . The case, filed in 2024, alleged that Ver failed to pay taxes on income derived from his cryptocurrency holdings after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. Prosecutors claimed he concealed the value of his Bitcoin portfolio before expatriation .

The proposed settlement reflects a broader shift in federal crypto enforcement under President Donald Trump's second administration, which has signaled a more lenient approach to high-profile industry figures compared to the previous administration's aggressive scrutiny. This follows a pattern of recent actions, including the SEC dropping suits against major exchanges like Coinbase and Trump pardoning figures such as Ross Ulbricht and BitMEX founders . Ver, 46, reportedly sought to reduce his legal exposure by paying $600,000 to political strategist Roger Stone and hiring attorneys tied to Trump's legal defense network .

Ver's case has drawn significant attention due to his prominent role in Bitcoin advocacy. He gained the nickname "Bitcoin Jesus" after promoting the cryptocurrency in the early 2010s and amassing a fortune through early investments. The DOJ's indictment accused him of evading taxes on approximately $48 million in gains from his Bitcoin holdings, which were valued at over $7.5 billion at the time of the charges . The IRS used blockchain analysis to trace Ver's transactions, a technique increasingly employed in crypto-related investigations .

The settlement, if finalized, would mark one of the largest individual crypto tax cases to date and could set a precedent for future enforcement actions. Analysts note that the case highlights regulatory challenges in tracking cryptocurrency transactions, particularly for individuals who renounce citizenship to avoid U.S. tax obligations. Ver's legal team declined to comment on the settlement, and formal court filings remain pending .

The Trump administration's approach to crypto enforcement has sparked debate about balancing regulatory oversight with industry growth. While critics argue that easing pressure on high-profile figures may undermine compliance efforts, supporters view it as a necessary correction to previous overreach. Ver's case is emblematic of the evolving legal landscape for cryptocurrency, where enforcement strategies continue to adapt to the sector's rapid innovation and global reach .

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

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

[3] Roger Ver May Have Bitcoin Tax-Evasion Case Dropped After ... (https://en.coinotag.com/roger-ver-may-have-bitcoin-tax-evasion-case-dropped-after-tentative-48-million-deal/)

[4] DOJ charges 'Bitcoin Jesus' with $48 million tax fraud, ... (https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/crypto/doj-charges-bitcoin-jesus-48-million-tax-fraud-seeks-extradition-rcna150274)

[5] Roger Ver Settles US Tax Fraud Allegations for $48 Million (https://www.kanalcoin.com/roger-ver-us-tax-fraud-settlement/)

[6] 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)

[8] Roger Ver reaches $48M tax settlement with US prosecutors: NY (https://cryptonews.net/news/legal/31769091/)