Roger Ver, a prominent early investor in bitcoin (BTC) and formerly known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” is currently facing potential life imprisonment due to alleged tax fraud. Last year, Ver was indicted for these charges, which has sparked support from various industry veterans. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, for instance, has expressed his disbelief at the severity of the potential sentence, calling it “absurd.”
In a social media post, Buterin stated, “Going to prison for the rest of your life over non-violent tax offenses is absurd. The case against Roger seems very politically motivated; like with Ross Ulbricht, there have been plenty of people and corporations who have been accused of far worse and yet faced sentences far milder than what Roger is facing.”
Buterin’s comments draw parallels to the case of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, who was initially sentenced to life in prison but later pardoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Ulbricht also voiced his support for Ver, emphasizing that no one should face a lifetime behind bars solely due to tax-related issues.
Jesse Powell, the founder of Kraken, has also come to Ver’s defense. Powell argues that the charges against Ver are a result of personal animosity and a desire to make his life difficult. Ver and his legal team are actively challenging the case, asserting that the allegations are politically motivated.
