‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Pays $50M To Resolve U.S. Tax Dispute

TLDR:

• Roger Ver paid nearly $50M in taxes, penalties, and interest to resolve U.S. federal tax charges.
• Ver admitted willfully failing to report Bitcoin holdings during his 2014 expatriation from the U.S.
• The deferred prosecution agreement covers tax years 2014 to 2017 and resolves a $16.8M loss to the U.S.
• U.S. authorities dismissed Ver’s indictment after confirming full payment and agreement compliance.
  

Roger Ver, widely known as Bitcoin Jesus, has reached an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to settle longstanding federal tax charges. 

The settlement closes a case linked to his offshore Bitcoin holdings and gains between 2014 and 2017. Ver has agreed to pay nearly $50 million, covering back taxes, penalties, and interest. The resolution comes after years of scrutiny over his failure to report Bitcoin assets following his expatriation.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the case underscores strict compliance expectations for cryptocurrency holders.

Ver Admits to Willful Tax Violations and Settles with DOJ

The deferred prosecution agreement reveals that Ver began acquiring Bitcoin in 2011 and became a vocal promoter of the cryptocurrency. 

In 2014, he renounced U.S. citizenship after obtaining citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis. Under U.S. tax law, his net worth required reporting worldwide assets, including his Bitcoin holdings, and payment of applicable capital gains tax.

Ver admitted that his 2016 tax filings did not include all his Bitcoin holdings. He acknowledged that failing to report these assets caused the United States to lose $16,864,105 in tax revenue. 

The agreement classified his actions as willful, triggering the maximum penalty under 26 U.S.C. § 6663 of over $12 million, plus interest.

The DOJ highlighted the settlement as a demonstration that deliberate tax evasion, even with digital assets, carries legal consequences. Associate Deputy Attorney General Ketan D. Bhirud stated that Ver’s compliance reinforces the expectation that all taxpayers must accurately report income, including crypto gains.

IRS-CI Investigation and Case Closure

The IRS Criminal Investigation unit’s Cyber Crimes Division conducted the investigation. 

Executive Special Agent Kareem Carter emphasized that the case illustrates the IRS’s ability to track concealed assets, regardless of technological complexity. Acting U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli confirmed that Ver’s full payment resolved the matter, prompting the government to move for dismissal of the indictment.

The settlement closes a high-profile chapter in cryptocurrency compliance. It serves as a reminder to investors that offshore holdings and unreported crypto gains can lead to substantial financial and legal obligations. 

Ver’s case also signals how U.S. authorities continue to monitor cryptocurrency activities and enforce reporting requirements.

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