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Roger Ver, one of the most recognizable figures in the crypto industry, has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a US tax fraud case, according to The New York Times. The deal marks a crucial turning point in a case that has drawn political attention and reflects a shift in Washington’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation under President Donald Trump.
Ver, 46, became famous during the early days of Bitcoin due to his tireless promotion, and he was dubbed the Bitcoin Jesus. A tentative deferred-prosecution agreement between the Justice Department and Ver is reported to have been reached, under which the charges may be dismissed eventually, only if he abides by the agreement. The amount paid to the prosecutors was the sum of money that he was supposed to pay in taxes.
Federal prosecutors accused Ver of tax evasion and fraud in 2024. They alleged that he was hiding the holdings of digital assets and did not pay taxes after renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. The deal is yet to be filed in court by the Justice Department, and hence, the agreement might still be altered before it is final.
According to The New York Times, Ver paid $600,000 to political strategist Roger Stone and hired attorneys connected to Trump’s legal defense network. Those efforts, sources said, aimed to reduce his exposure to potential penalties.
The arrest of Ver in Spain last year was a result of a U.S. extradition request. Before renouncing citizenship, prosecutors claimed he concealed the actual worth of his Bitcoin holdings. That allegation revived the speculation regarding his connection to dormant Satoshi-era wallets and gigantic, early Bitcoin transfers.
A recent report suggested Ver could be linked to a dormant wallet that moved over $8 billion worth of Bitcoin. His supporters have long argued that the government unfairly targeted early adopters. In January, Ver posted a video on X claiming he faced a possible sentence exceeding 100 years. He publicly appealed to President Trump for help, writing, “Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me.”
The case of Ver is occurring against the backdrop of a particularly pronounced shift in the attitude of the Trump administration towards regulating cryptocurrencies. Since January 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed a number of suits against large exchanges, such as Coinbase. There are also some of the major participants in the industry who have been pardoned by President Trump, including Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, and the founders of BitMEX, who were found guilty of money-laundering crimes.
In the meantime, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has begun collaborating with the SEC to establish a common regulatory framework for digital assets. Recently, SEC Chair Paul Atkins has revealed that crypto was one of the agency's highest priorities.
The Justice Department has also reshaped its cryptocurrency enforcement division, which is a good indication that the department is now moving towards negotiated settlements rather than protracted court battles. Analysts believe that the Ver settlement will be used as a reference for resolving other high-profile crypto cases.
Since the DOJ and SEC are still evolving to meet the changing reality of cryptocurrency, there is a fine line between competition and adherence that policymakers must walk in their cooperation. The situation of Roger Ver seems to be a landmark instance for both investors and regulators in the establishment of such a balance under the changing regulatory vision of Trump.
Roger Ver’s $48 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department closes a major chapter in crypto’s legal history. The deal mirrors a broader shift in President Trump’s administration toward negotiation and leniency within crypto regulation. As enforcement strategies evolve, this case could inspire other high-profile figures to seek similar resolutions, signaling a growing preference for cooperation over confrontation in digital asset oversight.
Related: SEC Shutdown Delays Canary’s Spot Litecoin ETF Decision Amid Filing Rule Shift
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