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- Roger Ver, known as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early cryptocurrency advocacy, has appealed to former President Donald Trump to intervene and stop his extradition to the United States.
- Roger Ver renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2014 to become a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis and now faces significant challenges in seeking support from U.S. authorities.
Roger Ver, “Bitcoin Jesus,” an early Bitcoin developer, has made a public plea to President Donald Trump, requesting his intervention to stop his extradition from Spain to the United States. In a video shared on X on January 26, Ver described his situation as dire, claiming his extradition stems from his activism in the cryptocurrency space rather than any wrongdoing.
Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help. Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/WhVTZ1M1GB
— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 26, 2025
“Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help. Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me,” Ver stated in his plea. Additionally, he expressed his fears, stating, “By later tonight in Spain, I could very well be in a Spanish prison on my way back to the United States to face life in prison up to 109 years. Not because I have done anything wrong, but because of my activism within cryptocurrency.”.
Last week, Ver saw a glimmer of hope when Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to a tweet urging former President Trump to grant Ver a pardon similar to the one given to Ross Ulbricht. Musk initially replied, “That’s up to the President, but I have asked whether this is possible.” However, Musk has now reversed his stance, tweeting, “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.” This revelation about Ver’s renunciation of U.S. citizenship has sparked debate over whether he is eligible for presidential intervention.
Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2025
Legal Battles and Financial Disputes
Ver’s case has drawn comparisons to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, a dark web marketplace. Ulbricht received two life sentences plus 40 years for running the platform, which allegedly facilitated $183 million in drug sales. As we reported, Trump granted Ulbricht a full and unconditional pardon, fulfilling a campaign promise he made at the Libertarian Party’s National Convention.
While Ver’s supporters continue to hope for a pardon similar to that granted to Ross Ulbricht, Ver’s situation is fundamentally different due to his renunciation of U.S. citizenship in 2014. Now a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ver explained, “I gave up my citizenship because I knew some U.S. government agencies would keep targeting me for my political views and past activism.” This decision has complicated his case and set it apart from others seeking clemency.
Roger Ver, like Ulbricht, identifies as a libertarian. His political ideology and outspoken advocacy for decentralized currencies have made him a polarizing figure in the crypto community.
Roger Ver has faced numerous legal battles in recent years, with one of the most significant arising in 2024 when U.S. authorities accused him of tax evasion, alleging he owed $48 million linked to his expatriation process.
Ver strongly contested these claims, arguing that his constitutional rights had been violated and that subpoena powers had been improperly used against him. By December of the same year, his legal team filed a motion to have the case dismissed while Ver remained in Spain, continuing his fight against extradition to the United States.
