In a shocking turnaround, Roger Ver, formerly known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” has just been arrested and charged with massive tax evasion. This early investor in the flagship cryptocurrency allegedly deliberately failed to declare nearly $50 million in capital gains. A dark affair which tarnishes the image of one of the most publicized pioneers of the sector.
The fall of a Bitcoin icon
The news hit like an earthquake in the world of cryptocurrencies. Indeed, who could have imagined that the man nicknamed the “Bitcoin Jesus” would one day find himself in the sights of justice? However, this is what happens to Roger Ver. According to the unsealed indictment, the man knowingly misled tax authorities about the extent of his Bitcoin holdings.
At the heart of the matter is the sale of 131,000 Bitcoin in 2017. A staggering transaction which should have brought him tens of millions of dollars in capital gains. However, prosecutors say that Ver never reported this substantial income to the IRS. Worse still, he allegedly provided false information about his assets to a law firm as part of a renunciation of his American citizenship.
The response of justice
Faced with such allegations, the authorities did not hesitate to draw heavy artillery. Indeed, Ver (Bitcoin Jesus) was arrested in Spain, pending extradition proceedings to the United States. There, he will have to answer for his actions and face the severity of American justice in matters of tax fraud.
The fall of this emblematic figure also raises questions about the integrity of bitcoin and the crypto ecosystem as a whole. How could such an influential ambassador fall into alleged illegality? This affair will not fail to fuel criticism from skeptics about the credibility of the emerging industry.
It would be unfair to cast shame on an entire innovative sector that is undergoing rapid change. But this thorny affair is a painful reminder that no one is safe from abuse, even among the most ardent evangelists of the crypto cause. A lesson in humility for all those who had established Roger Ver (Bitcoin Jesus) as a true icon.
Maximize your Tremplin.io experience with our 'Read to Earn' program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.
