"Vitalik Buterin Defends 'Bitcoin Jesus' in Tax Evasion Case"
1min read Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly advocated for the release of Roger Ver, the early Bitcoin investor and advocate known as "Bitcoin Jesus," who is currently facing tax evasion charges. Buterin criticized the potential harsh sentence for Ver, arguing that it seemed politically motivated and disproportionate to the nonviolent nature of the alleged offenses.
Buterin's comments come on the heels of a public defense of Ver by ross Ulbricht, the founder of the now-defunct Silk Road marketplace. Ulbricht, who is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the site, took to social media to express his support for Ver and criticize the potential penalties for his alleged tax offenses.
Buterin echoed Ulbricht's concerns, stating that it was absurd for someone to face a life sentence for nonviolent tax offenses. He pointed out that many individuals and companies accused of more serious crimes had received lighter sentences. Buterin argued that Ver's support for freedom and criticism of government power should not lead to harsh punishment, and expressed concern about the fairness of legal cases involving taxes.
Buterin also criticized selective prosecution, stating that it undermines constitutional rights, such as the First Amendment. He pointed to the U.S. tax-by-citizenship and exit tax policies as extreme, noting that few other countries have similar rules. He compared these to other nations' tax systems, like the UK, which only charges capital gains if you return within five years.
In April 2024, the U.S. IRS accused Ver of evading $48 million in taxes. He was arrested in Spain and is currently there, facing potential extradition to the U.S., where he could be sentenced to up to 109 years. Buterin raised concerns about reports that the IRS pressured Ver's lawyers to reveal confidential information, emphasizing the importance of protecting the right to legal privacy. He suggested that people should be able to fix tax mistakes without facing life sentences.
However, not everyone in the crypto community has rallied behind Ver. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and tesla, has declined to support Ver, arguing that because Ver gave up his U.S. citizenship, he is no longer eligible for a presidential pardon, along with other rights and protections that come with being a U.S. citizen.
The debate surrounding Ver's case has sparked a wider conversation about 