Crypto Community Reacts as Roger Ver Faces U.S. Tax Evasion Charges
Summary:
Early Bitcoin investor and advocate of Bitcoin cash, Roger Ver, has been arrested on tax evasion charges in the U.S., eliciting varying responses from the crypto community. Despite renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014, he now faces extradition to the U.S. for charges including mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns. His arrest has sparked backlash from the crypto community, with some experts believing he is the target of a witch hunt due to his advocacy for press freedom and opposition to U.S. imperialism. Some suggest Ver's arrest is part of the U.S. government's broader crackdown on cryptocurrencies.
The detention of early Bitcoin investor and advocate for Bitcoin cash, Roger Ver, based on accusations of tax evasion in the U.S., has elicited a variety of responses from the world of cryptocurrency. While the majority of the community has denounced the arrest, some have defended it, in view of Ver's later antagonism towards Bitcoin. One such supporter of the arrest was stalwart Bitcoin advocate, Dan Held, who stated, "Ver has been more of a detriment than a benefit for Bitcoin".
A crypto-focused account identified as Pledditor suggested that Ver's arrest could be connected to his name appearing in various investigative reports, such as those relating to Binance, Genesis, and 3AC.
Many seasoned crypto experts have censured the U.S. Department of Justice's aim to impose tax evasion charges onto Ver, despite him renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. Ver, a Japanese citizen since 2014, was taken into custody in Spain on April 30 due to criminal charges laid in the U.S., encompassing mail fraud, tax evasion, and submission of fraudulent tax returns. The DOJ notice in the U.S. claimed that Ver bypassed taxes amounting to $48 million on his Bitcoin and cryptocurrency sales in 2017. Ver is now confronted with extradition to the U.S.
Ver's arrest prompted several crypto proponents to challenge U.S. law enforcement authorities for their perceived overreaching of power. Online crypto users swiftly highlighted that Ver had renounced his U.S citizenship in 2014, and yet the tax evasion accusations referred to the sale of assets in 2017. Paul Sztorc, founder and CEO of LayerTwo Labs, expressed his opinion that Ver had abided by the law when he legally relocated from the U.S to Japan. Ver dutifully paid his taxes in both Japan and the U.S, but still faced arrest in Spain ten years later, notes Sztorc, dubbing this a clear example of governmental rule without the agreement of the governed.
Experienced crypto player, Kim Dotcom, who has personally experienced government enforcement, maintains that the charges against Ver have nothing to do with tax evasion. He calls this a "witch hunt against a man who left behind U.S. wars and harmful foreign and domestic policies." Dotcom added, "Roger is not only a vocal supporter, but also a proactive supporter of Julian Assange and press freedom".
Jane Adams, a 2024 U.S. House Candidate and a Bitcoin advocate, described Ver’s arrest as a sheer attack on disagreement. She suggested that the U.S. government's pursuit of Ver is dictated by retaliation, as he championed for press freedom and opposed U.S. imperialism.
Some speculate that Ver's arrest is part of larger government strategies targeting cryptocurrencies. DavidShares, a Bitcoin advocate noted that the U.S is taking increasingly aggressive action towards cryptocurrencies.
In a separate post, he suggested that the Biden administration is attempting to enforce a large number of anti-currency regulations and enforcements before November's upcoming elections.
Published At
5/1/2024 12:33:25 PM
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