Roger Ver Fights US Extradition in Crypto Tax Case
Early Bitcoin investor Roger Ver has taken legal action against Spain, filing a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights to block his extradition to the United States. According to a Bloomberg report, Ver is contesting charges of evading over $48 million in taxes related to crypto sales.
Key Takeaways
- Lawsuit Filed: Roger Ver sues at the European Court of Human Rights to prevent extradition to the US.
- Tax Evasion Charges: The case involves alleged tax evasion on $240M in crypto sales and a disputed 2014 exit tax after Ver renounced his US citizenship.
Details of the Legal Challenge
Ver's lawsuit claims that Spain violated his legal rights by approving his extradition to Los Angeles. US prosecutors accuse Ver of filing a false exit tax return following his renunciation of US citizenship in 2014. Authorities allege that Ver underreported gains from selling $240 million in crypto tokens.
The lawsuit asserts that Spain’s decision “amounts to a clear denial of justice” and disregards due process concerns. It highlights the legal uncertainties surrounding crypto taxation at the time. Ver’s Spanish attorney also claims that prosecutors interrogated one of his lawyers and ignored exculpatory evidence.
Background and Previous Attempts for Leniency
Ver had previously sought a pardon from President Trump, but his lawyer confirmed that this request is no longer active. Elon Musk responded to the situation on X, stating, “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.”
Roger Ver’s Influence in Crypto
Roger Ver is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world, known for his early advocacy of Bitcoin and investments in major crypto startups, including Ripple, Kraken, and Blockchain.com. He once claimed to hold approximately 400,000 BTC, worth billions at peak prices. Ver was also a key supporter of Bitcoin Cash (BCH), a fork of Bitcoin created in 2017 due to disagreements over scaling.
As the legal battle continues, the crypto community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for crypto taxation and regulation.
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