Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Jesus Secures Leniency as DOJ Softens Crypto Enforcement Stance

Roger Ver, the 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 charges, under which he would pay approximately $48 million in restitution if the terms are fulfilled. The agreement, first reported by The New York Times and still pending court approval, would drop the charges against Ver, who was accused of evading taxes on his digital currency holdings after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. Prosecutors alleged Ver concealed the value of his Bitcoin portfolio before expatriation and filed false tax returns, resulting in an estimated $48 million loss to the IRS .

The case, filed in 2024, centers on Ver's failure to report taxable distributions from his Bitcoin investments. By 2017, his companies reportedly held around 70,000 bitcoins, which he sold for roughly $240 million. Despite no longer being a U.S. citizen, Ver was legally required to report certain distributions to the IRS, a requirement he allegedly ignored . The DOJ's decision to pursue a deferred-prosecution agreement reflects a broader shift in federal crypto enforcement under President Donald Trump's second administration, which has eased pressure on high-profile figures following years of scrutiny under President Joe Biden .

Ver's defense strategy leveraged political connections, including a $600,000 payment to Trump ally Roger Stone and the hiring of attorneys tied to the 's legal defense network. These actions were part of an effort to mitigate his exposure, with Ver publicly appealing to Trump in January 2025, claiming his case was politically motivated and warning of a potential 100-year sentence . The settlement aligns with the Trump administration's broader rollback of crypto enforcement, which has seen the SEC drop suits against major exchanges like Coinbase and the pardon of figures such as Ross Ulbricht and BitMEX founders .

The agreement highlights the DOJ's evolving approach to crypto-related crimes, balancing enforcement with leniency for high-profile individuals who cooperate. Ver's case is notable for its scale but also for the political dimensions of his defense. The settlement, if finalized, would mark a significant departure from the aggressive stance taken by federal agencies in recent years, particularly as the IRS and DOJ have increasingly prioritized crypto tax compliance .

The outcome also underscores the challenges of regulating digital assets, where complex financial maneuvers and cross-border transactions complicate enforcement. Ver's renunciation of U.S. citizenship and subsequent legal battles, including extradition proceedings from Spain, illustrate the jurisdictional hurdles faced by authorities. The case follows the first standalone crypto tax fraud conviction of Frank Richard Ahlgren III, who was sentenced to two years in prison for underreporting gains from Bitcoin sales, signaling a growing focus on tax evasion in the crypto sector .

Sources:

[1] Cryptobriefing (https://cryptobriefing.com/roger-ver-doj-tax-crypto-settlement-48m/)

[2] Blockworks (https://blockworks.co/news/roger-ver-tax-settlement)

[3] Bitcoin Magazine (https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/roger-ver-aka-bitcoin-jesus-reaches-deal-in-u-s-tax-fraud-case)

[4] The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/technology/roger-ver-bitcoin-justice-department-deal.html)