Elon Musk Urges President Trump to Pardon ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ St.Kitts and Nevis Citizen Roger Ver

In a recent development, tech magnate Elon Musk has taken to social media platform X to advocate for the pardon of Roger Ver, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world known as “Bitcoin Jesus.” Musk’s post, dated January 21, 2025, calls upon President Donald Trump to extend clemency to Ver, who is currently facing legal challenges in the United States.

Roger Ver, a native of California, gained notoriety as an early investor in Bitcoin and a fervent proponent of Bitcoin Cash. In 2014, he renounced his U.S. citizenship, acquiring citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and later in Antigua and Barbuda. Despite his expatriation, Ver was indicted in April 2024 by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges including mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors allege that he defrauded the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $48 million by failing to report capital gains from his cryptocurrency holdings.

Ver was arrested in Spain in April 2024 and subsequently released on bail in May, under the condition that he remains in the country while awaiting possible extradition to the United States. His legal team has moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that the charges rely on violations of his rights and that U.S. tax rules at the time did not provide clear guidance for cryptocurrency pioneers like Ver.

Elon Musk’s public appeal adds a significant voice to the discourse surrounding Ver’s legal predicament. Musk’s influence in the tech and financial sectors is well-established, and his support for Ver may impact public opinion and potentially influence political considerations regarding the case.

As of now, there has been no official response from President Trump or his administration concerning Musk’s request. The situation continues to develop, with Ver’s legal team actively contesting the charges and the broader cryptocurrency community closely monitoring the proceedings.

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